Author Archives: LSAConnect

Economic data included gains in both manufacturing and services PMI measures, as well as in new home sales, while existing home sales fell back. The index of leading economic indicators continued to deteriorate, although it still doesn’t point to recession … Continue reading →

Economic Update 5-12-2025 Last week, the Federal Reserve kept policy interest rates unchanged, as expected, along with mixed economic data. Within the minimal data released last week, ISM services rose a bit, further into expansion. Equities were mixed last week, … Continue reading →

Economic Update 5-5-2025 Economic data for the week included U.S. GDP growth for Q1 coming in negative, as well as weaker manufacturing, construction spending, and consumer sentiment. On the positive side, home prices continued to rise, albeit at a slower … Continue reading →

Economic Update 4-28-2025 Economic data included a rise in durable goods orders and new home sales. On the negative side, existing home sales declined, as did consumer sentiment and the index of leading economic indicators. Stocks saw gains globally last … Continue reading →

On a Good Friday-shortened week, economic data included gains in retail sales, while industrial production and housing starts fell back. Equities experienced a slightly mellower week compared to the one prior, ending lower for U.S. large cap stocks, but a … Continue reading →

Economic Update 4-14-2025 Economic data included a significant pause in the U.S. administration’s total tariff policy, resulting in some relief of recession fears for now. Consumer price inflation came in slower than expected, with the year-over-year rates also declining, as … Continue reading →

Economic Update 4-07-2025 Economic data included the announcement of substantial global tariffs by the U.S. administration, which were taken negatively worldwide, but especially in the U.S. Other releases included a weakening of ISM manufacturing and services activity, and JOLTS job … Continue reading →

Financial markets were on pins and needles as ‘Liberation Day’ approached on Wednesday, after a volatile few weeks of uncertainty surrounding tariff policy. Despite news of a 10% global tariff rate being broadly applied, and a smorgasbord of individual country- … Continue reading →

Economic Update 3-24-2025 Economic data included the Federal Reserve keeping rates unchanged, with a balanced commentary about current conditions but noting uncertainty about the economic path ahead. Positive data came in from retail sales and industrial production, in addition to … Continue reading →