Author Archives: LSAConnect

Economic Update 5-10-2021 Economic data for the week included pullbacks but still historically-strong showings for manufacturing and services. While jobless claims improved, the employment situation report for April proved a disappointment. U.S. equity markets fared positively last week, upon the … Continue reading →

Economic Update 5-03-2021 The Federal Reserve meeting last week resulted in no changes in policy, per expectations. Economic data included strong advance GDP results for Q1, as anticipated; and durable goods orders, housing prices, and consumer confidence all experienced growth. … Continue reading →

Fed Note: The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee made no changes in monetary policy today, keeping the target short-term interest rate at 0.00-0.25%. Nor was there any change in the pace and magnitude of their treasury and agency mortgage-backed security … Continue reading →

Economic Update 4-26-2021 Economic data for the week included a pullback in existing home sales, while new home sales, the index of leading economic indicators, and jobless claims all improved. U.S. equity markets were mixed to lower last week, but … Continue reading →

Economic Update 4-19-2021 Economic data for the week included several robust reports that demonstrate early economic recovery from the pandemic, with favorable ‘base effects’ from low points last March. These include strong readings for retail sales, housing starts, and several … Continue reading →

Economic Update 4-12-2021 Economic data for the week included historical strength in ISM services, coupled with strength in job openings, and an especially strong increase in producer prices. U.S. equity markets gained ground last week, outperforming foreign markets, which also … Continue reading →

As the new administration begins to layout their agenda and we continue to reopen from COVID-19 concerns, as vaccines find their way into more arms, LSA is implementing updated revisions to all of the model portfolios over the next three … Continue reading →

Economic Update 4-05-2021 On a holiday-shortened week, economic data included strong manufacturing data, as well as continued growth in home prices and consumer confidence. Jobless claims rose a bit, but the March employment situation report came in showing stronger-than-expected recovery. … Continue reading →

Economic Update 3-29-2021 Economic data for the week included a small upgrade for the prior month’s GDP growth rate, as well as declines in durable goods orders and several housing metrics—largely due to the prior month’s winter weather challenges. Consumer … Continue reading →

Economic Update 3-22-2021 Economic data for the week included a drop in February retail sales and industrial production, as did several housing metrics. However, several regional manufacturing indexes showed strong gains. Global equity markets were mixed last week, as continued … Continue reading →

Fed Note: The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee made no change in policy, keeping the target short-term interest rate at 0.00-0.25%. Similarly, no change was made in the pace and magnitude of ‘quantitative easing,’ which is the ongoing treasury and … Continue reading →

Economic Update 3-15-2021 Economic data for the week included tempered increases in both the producer price index and consumer price index, which appeared to calm some fears about rising inflation. Consumer sentiment continued to improve, as did several labor metrics … Continue reading →