Economic Commentary

ECONOMY AND POLICY April 01, 2022   Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data. The March Employment Report was strong. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 431,000 – less than expected but with upward revisions to January and February (a 562,000 monthly average in 1Q22). The unemployment rate fell to 3.6%, which is where it […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY April 01, 2022   Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses current economic conditions. The job market remained strong in March. The unemployment rate fell to 3.6%, which is where it was before the pandemic (3.0% for the prime aged cohort, those 25-54 years). With the exception of older workers (those 55 and over, […]

MARKETS AND INVESTING March 25, 2022   Review the latest portfolio strategy commentary from Mike Gibbs, managing director of Equity Portfolio and Technical Strategy. Short-Term Summary: Equities have staged an impressive rally over the past 8 days- up 8% and taking out multiple short-term resistance levels despite negative newsflow (Russia/Ukraine war rages on, Fed becoming […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY March 25, 2022   Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data. In a speech to the National Association for Business Economics, Fed Chair Powell repeated that “if we conclude that it is appropriate to move more aggressively by raising the federal funds rate by more than 25 basis points at […]