Articles/Education
Please choose any of the following articles below that interest you. Each article is listed under the month it was written. Articles written in prior months may still have educational interest.
Average Tax Refund For 2024 Tax Season Larger Than Last Year – Tax Policy Update
The 2023 tax season, which began January 23, 2024, has so far seen over 90 million federal tax returns filed ...
Strong U.S Dollar Prompts Americans To Travel Overseas – Foreign Exchange Update
A strong U.S. dollar is becoming a decisive factor for U.S. travelers heading overseas. Up nearly 3.5% year to date, ...
Some States Continue To Lose Workers After Pandemic – Labor Market Dynamics
The pandemic brought on dramatic and instrumental changes to employment and the labor markets, some of which may be substantially ...
Why Gasoline Prices Are Rising Faster Than Usual – Energy Overview
Various factors are contributing to sustained high gas prices, which are expected to add to price pressures heading into the ...
Rates Remain Stubborn – Fixed Income Overview
Inflationary pressures and better than expected employment data, pushed rates slightly higher in March, persuading the Fed to hold off ...
Equities Continue Their Advance – Domestic Equity Markets
Many analysts believe that the current equity market is being driven by price momentum rather than earnings expansion. This is ...
Chocolate Is Getting Expensive – Commodity Overview
Weather and crop disease in geographic regions where cocoa beans grow, have hindered crops and stricken supply leading to elevated ...
Macro Economic Overview – April 2024
A stronger then anticipated jobs report reduced chances of a Fed rate cut in June as projected by analysts. Strong ...
Market Indexes
April 2024 (all values as of 03.29.2024) Stock Indexes: Dow Jones 39,807 S&P 500 5,254 Nasdaq 16,379 Bond Sector Yields: ...
Consumer Loans Are Falling – Consumer Finance Behavior
Outstanding loans among consumers have been falling since October 2022, reflecting a drop from auto loans to credit card balances. ...
Over 100 Million Are Not In The Workforce – Labor Market Dynamics
Department of Labor data released this past month reveal that over 100 million people are not in the workforce, either ...
Macro Economic Overview
The Federal Reserve decided to leave rates unchanged in February, igniting concerns among the financial markets that interest rates may ...
