Inflation Eases, Job Market Remains Strong The U.S. economy delivered more signs of stability this week. The Producer Price Index (PPI)—which tracks wholesale inflation—came in flat at 0.0% month-over-month, cooler than the 0.2% increase economists had expected. Meanwhile, weekly jobless claims fell to 221,000, beating the 233,000 forecast and marking the fifth straight week of … Read more
New Series: Backseat Ballers — Now on YouTube We kick off this week with a quick reminder to check out our new video series, Backseat Ballers, where Elliot picks up Kansas City business owners and interviews them while driving around town. Each episode dives deep into life, adversity, and entrepreneurship — with real stories and … Read more
All Major Indexes Hit New Highs as Market Momentum Builds Markets continued their march into record territory today, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones all closing at new all-time highs, finally breaking through their February peaks. The rally reflects growing optimism despite a mixed bag of economic data.\ Private-Sector Job Loss Surprises, Rate … Read more
Markets Rally to New Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Ease Markets closed at all-time highs today, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting record levels for the first time since February. This strong finish capped off a surprisingly resilient week, especially given the sharp rise in geopolitical tension over the weekend. Overnight on Saturday, the … Read more
Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets as Oil Surges Markets closed lower today as geopolitical tensions escalated following Israel’s overnight strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets. The sell-off was driven largely by investor concern over potential disruptions in global oil supply, especially through the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow corridor near Iran through … Read more
S&P 500 Breaks 6,000 on Strong Jobs Report Markets rallied this week as the S&P 500 climbed back above 6,000 for the first time since February. The move was fueled by Friday’s May jobs report, which showed 139,000 new jobs added, beating expectations of 125,000. Unemployment held at 4.2%, while wages rose 0.4%, reinforcing investor … Read more
Consumer Confidence Lifts Market SentimentMarkets opened strong this week, lifted by surprisingly upbeat consumer confidence data. With household sentiment improving, investors are growing more optimistic about summer spending and broader economic momentum. Trade Ruling Signals Policy ShiftA major legal ruling also made waves. The U.S. Court of International Trade found that former President Trump exceeded … Read more
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication continue to inspire us all. Market Jitters After U.S. Credit DowngradeMarkets faced renewed volatility this week following a surprise move by Moody’s to downgrade the U.S. credit … Read more