Featured News

(Friday, February 13) U.S. economic growth is beating expectations by 62%!

The Wall Street Journal polls 60 economists during the first week of every month, and the early- February consensus forecast was for a 1.6% growth rate for the first quarter that will end March 31, 2020. That's much lower than the 2.1% growth in the fourth quarter of 2019. 

Instead of declining sharply from the fourth quarter of 2019 of 2.1%, the Atlanta Fed's real-time model of current economic conditions is indicating nearly a 25% surge in growth over the last quarter.

Housing starts have surged in the last 24 months. It was bound to happen.

Housing starts were stalled from 2013 to 2018. Fewer units were built than the 1.7 million annually required to replace current housing stock and meet population growth estimates from the US Census Bureau.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Supply Management's forward-looking indicators are similarly indicating faster growth than consensus expectations.

The Standard & Poor's 500 stock index closed Friday about 1% off its Valentine's Day all-time high, ending the week on Friday at 3,337.75.

The Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. It is a market-value weighted index with each stock's weight proportionate to its market value. Index returns do not include fees or expenses. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Nothing contained herein is to be considered a solicitation, research material, an investment recommendation, or advice of any kind, and it is subject to change without notice. It does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs. Product suitability must be independently determined for each individual investor.

This material represents an assessment of the market and economic environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, does not purport to be complete, and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions.