Congratulations to Wanda Erb, Matt Przwara, and Bob Reger- Gary Reeser Award Recipients!!! Wanda Erb Matthew Przywara

Strong hiring in February (+275,000 jobs added) especially in healthcare and gov't. Healthcare +67,000 Gov't +52,000 Restaurants +42,000 Social aid +24,000 Construction +23,000 Retail +19,000 Couriers +17,000 Professional Biz +9,000 Manufacturing -4,000 Temp help -15,000

Another great ⁦conference! Thank you ⁦PASBO⁩ for all that you do! linkedin.com/posts/pma-fina…

Federal Reserve officials maintained their outlook for three 25bps cuts this year but forecast fewer cuts than before in 2025 following uptick in inflation; decision was unanimous; fed funds rate remains in range of 5.25% to 5.5% (highest since 2001, for fifth straight meeting)

Good news -- US Consumer sentiment has surged since the fall. Americans believe inflation is getting back under control and their personal finance are improving. "Sentiment is currently about 30% above November 2023 and about 6% below its historical average since 1978." (From

JUST IN: Another blockbuster month for jobs. The US economy added 303,000 jobs in March — way above expectations. The big gains were healthcare (72k) and gov’t (71k). Unemployment rate: 3.8% (vs 3.9% in Feb) Wage growth: 4.1% in past year (well above 3.2% inflation)

*FED SWAPS SHIFT FULL PRICING OF RATE CUT TO SEPTEMBER FROM JULY #jobs

JUST IN: The US economy grew 1.6% in Q1. That’s solid, but it’s a clear slowdown from 3.4% in Q4. Consumption moderated a little bit. Biz investment was still solid. ***But the biggest change was a slowdown in exports and government spending*** Q1 2024: 1.6% Q4 2023: 3.4% Q3

Fed Chair Powell summary today: 1) A rate hike is very unlikely 2) His base case is to cut rates later this year, but it’s not a given 3) No sign of stagflation 4) 3% inflation is not acceptable #Fed #economy

A great celebration (kick off) with dearest of friends and family last night for Chuck Peterson! It was a pleasure to be a part of this fantastic retirement (almost) party! Congratulations Chuck!!!

JUST IN: The Federal Reserve predicts just ONE rate cut in 2024. 4 of the 19 Fed leaders predict NO CUTS 7 of the 19 Fed leaders forecast 1 cut 8 of the 19 forecast 2 cuts

Revision for U.S. GDP brought growth up to +1.4% (q/q ann.) in 1Q2024; prior read was +1.3%

JUST IN: A really weak July jobs report. The US economy added only 114,000 jobs in July (well below forecasts) Unemployment rate hits 4.3% —> Highest since October 2021 and this triggers the Sahm Rule recession indicator. Wage growth: 3.6% (vs. 3% inflation)

JUST IN: A solid jobs report. The US added 142,000 jobs in August. That’s just below expectations of ~160k and a decent rebound from 89,000 jobs in July. The unemployment rate fell back to 4.2% (down from 4.3% in July) Wages: +3.8% in past year (well above 2.9% inflation)

Federal Open Market Committee statement: federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pre… #FOMC

JUST IN: Federal Reserve cuts interest rates 50 bps, the first rate cut since 2020. The new interest rate target is 4.75 to 5%. —>The “dot plot” signals interest rate down to 4.25 to 4.5% by the end of the year Vote today was 11 in favor and 1 against

#FOMC updated quarterly summary of economic projections (SEP), raising median projection for unemployment at end of 2024 to 4.4% (from 4% in June), representing increase from current level of 4.2%; median forecast for inflation at end of 2024 declined to 2.3%; median projection

JUST IN: A strong jobs report. The US economy added 254,000 jobs in September. That’s way above expectations and a nice bounce from 159,000 in August. (Both July & August revised up) Unemployment rate: 4.1%. (Down from 4.2% in August) Wages: +4% in past year (vs. 2.5%

JUST IN: The Federal Reserve cut interest rates 0.25. The new benchmark interest rate is 4.5 to 4.75%. That's the lowest rate since early 2023. All committee members supported the move.