Economic Commentary

ECONOMY AND POLICY March 27, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data. Stock market participants were encouraged by the news that lawmakers had reached agreement on a $2 trillion fiscal stimulus package to counter the effects of COVID-19. In comparison, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was $831 billion. The […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY March 26, 2020 Based on income and family makeup, about 90% of Americans may expect to receive $1,200 individually ($2,400 for joint filers) and $500 per dependent. Update: On March 27, the stimulus package discussed below was approved by the House and President Trump. Lawmakers in Washington struck a compromise on a major […]

MARKETS AND INVESTING March 23, 2020 Equities remain defensive as investors await the largest relief package in history. In the past week alone, investors witnessed the S&P 500’s worst daily decline since Black Monday – the index has slid 30% in the weeks since its February 19 high. We also saw swings of more than […]

ECONOMY AND POLICY March 20, 2020 Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses current economic conditions. The economic outlook has deteriorated sharply in the last few weeks. Wall Street economists’ forecasts of GDP growth have been revised lower day by day. This is going to be bad. The Federal Reserve has now thrown a ton of liquidity […]