Author Archives: LSAConnect

Economic Update 7-08-2024 U.S. stocks gained last week, with large cap growth outperforming, while small caps lagged with a decline. Fed Chair Powell’s speech at the ECB Forum on Central Banking in Portugal was taken well by markets, noting the … Continue reading →

Economic Update 7-01-2024 U.S. stocks were mixed last week, with large caps little changed, and small caps seeing gains. The end of the quarter has tended to be an unusual time, due to a variety of portfolio clean-up, ‘window dressing,’ … Continue reading →

Economic Update 6-24-2024 U.S. stocks saw moderate gains in the four-day trading week, with mixed economic data to react to. By sector, consumer discretionary, energy, financials, and industrials all saw gains of at least a percent, which led to sharper … Continue reading →

Economic Update 6-17-2024 U.S. stocks saw gains, led by improved inflation numbers mid-week, and subsequent drop in interest rates, as well as seemingly continued optimism over artificial intelligence (particularly as related to new Apple products). By sector, technology again led … Continue reading →

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25-5.50% in their June meeting, continuing the range set since July 2023 without any dissenting votes. The formal statement was only slightly adjusted to reflect “modest” … Continue reading →

Economic Update 6-10-2024

Economic Update 5-28-2024 U.S. stocks were mixed last week, with technology closing with gains over 3% (leading the Nasdaq to more all-time highs), while all other sectors fell back, led by the largest losses from energy and financials. The earnings … Continue reading →

Economic Update 5-20-2024

Economic Update 5-06-2024 U.S. stocks turned the corner on a negative April, with gains last week. Softness early in the week appeared related to poor consumer sentiment and the looming Fed decision, as well as the attached message. On Wed., … Continue reading →

In this week’s meeting, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee kept the Fed funds range unchanged at 5.25-5.50%, where it has been since last July. There were no dissents. Despite no action, messaging remains closely-watched for future signals. The formal … Continue reading →