The U.S. housing market is experiencing a significant slowdown after two years of rapid growth.

Stocks traded higher for a second consecutive month after another encouraging inflation report. Investors cheered the report as fresh evidence that price pressures are easing after a period of high inflation.

Stock market volatility is rising this year after a relatively calm 2021. Financial markets are experiencing bigger moves up and down as investors navigate a long list of events.

Stock markets remained volatile during October, once again changing direction as investors shifted their views. After declining -9.2% during September, the S&P 500 gained +8.1% during October.

Early inflation pressures were attributed to clogged supply chains and strong demand overwhelming limited supply, but a new source of inflation is gaining attention as supply chains normalize – wage inflation.

The S&P 500 finished the third quarter down -4.9%, while the 2-year Treasury yield reached levels not seen since 2007. This recap covers the third quarter and provides an update on the key questions markets faced at the start of the third quarter.

When transitioning jobs, consider the implications for your old 401(k) carefully. Preserving the tax benefits of your investments may substantially improve your ability to grow your wealth over time.

Investors were surprised by the 0.1% month-over-month increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August. The report will likely push the Federal Reserve to persist with its aggressive campaign of interest rate increases.

We currently project that the US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index will approach 50 during the next three months before dipping below 50 (i.e., manufacturing contraction) during 1Q23.

After declining during the pandemic, data shows consumer credit usage is rising again and is now back above pre-pandemic levels.

The ability to optimize the amount of benefits you will receive from Social Security will depend on your situation.

Investor hopes for a Fed pivot were one of the primary catalysts that propelled the stock market higher during July and August. Chair Powell’s recent speech at Jackson Hole dashed those hopes.