The May jobs report from the Labor Department surprised economists this morning – but this time, in a good way. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected a loss of 8.3 million jobs, which would have put the unemployment rate near 20%. Instead, the Labor Department’s establishment survey reported payrolls ROSE by 2.5… Read More

One of the far-reaching impacts of the nationwide shutdown due to the coronavirus has been on interest rates. The sudden slowdown in economic growth, the Fed’s emergency monetary policy, low inflation, and longer-term growth trends have collectively pushed Treasury yields to historic lows, which tends to frustrate investors. And while the economy is beginning to… Read More

As cities and states in the US begin relaxing pandemic restrictions, many investors remain concerned about the markets, skeptical of its quick recovery in spite of what still seems like a large amount of uncertainty as to how this “reopening” will ultimately play out. Admittedly, many questions remain about the shape of recovery, the long-term… Read More

In August 1940, Nazi warplanes numbering in the thousands took flight from France with their targets set for the British Isles – the Battle of Britain had begun. After the Nazis had seized France & other portions of Western Europe in short order, their assumption was the taking of Britain would be the same. Hermann… Read More

Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 29th at 7:30 am Central) we will see the first estimate of Q1 2020 US GDP. This figure is of particular interest because it represents the first look at how the US economy as a whole fared during the first quarter, which included quarantines beginning in February. Most forecasters believe the US… Read More