U.S. Leading Economic Indicators and Recession Warnings

U.S. Leading Economic Indicators and Recession Warnings The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index for the U.S. has rarely weakened sharply ahead of rate cuts, except in 2007. Currently, it doesn’t suggest that a recession is…

Fed Funds Target Rate and VIX

Fed Funds Target Rate and VIX Is more volatility expected ahead? This great chart suggests that the Fed funds target rate leads VIX by 2 years. You may also like “VIX is in a Transitory State”…

How Does A First Rate Cut Affect the Stock Market?

How Does A First Rate Cut Affect the Stock Market? Since 1970, the first rate cut has been bullish for the S&P 500 for the next 12 months, with recession and no recession. Image: Fidelity…

U.S. Long-term Unemployment Rate

U.S. Long-term Unemployment Rate Interesting chart showing that the U.S. long-term unemployment rate is back to its long-run average. Image: Ben Casselman

U.S. Unemployment Rate and Wage Growth

U.S. Unemployment Rate and Wage Growth U.S. unemployment rate at 3.7% and U.S. wage growth at 3.2% in July. U.S. employment growth slows, suggesting the U.S. economy is cooling. Image: Jeroen Blokland

The Equity Risk Premium May Be Bullish

The Equity Risk Premium May Be Bullish The equity risk premium suggests that the S&P 500 is not overvalued, which may be a bullish signal. You may also like our “Stock Market Equity Risk Premium.”…

Equity Market Driven by Bonds Not Profits

Equity Market Driven by Bonds Not Profits The chart shows a widening gap between cyclicals and bond proxies. It is clearly a cyclical bear market within a bull market, as during the dotcom bubble. Image:…