Quarterly Market Commentary
First Quarter 2019
Global Market and Economic Perspective Global Economic Commentary GDP growth in the US remained at a healthy level of 3.0% or better during both the fourth quarter of 2018 (data release was delayed due to the government shutdown) and the first quarter of 2019. As a result, the unemployment rate has stayed below 4.0% thus…
Read MoreFourth Quarter 2018
Global Market and Economic Perspective Global Economic Commentary Normally, we would have the fourth quarter GDP numbers for the US when issuing this report. However, these have not been normal times. The lengthy US government shutdown that began a few days before Christmas has meant delays in releasing economic reports and data, including GDP. Although…
Read MoreThird Quarter 2018
Global Market and Economic Perspective Global Economic Commentary Third-quarter GDP growth in the US continued its strong pace seen earlier in the year. However, the good headline number masked some potentially troubling underlying data points. While increased government spending was a big contributor and consumption was relatively good, there was weakness in home building (new…
Read MoreSecond Quarter 2018
Global Market and Economic Perspective Global Economic Commentary The second quarter of 2018 saw US real GDP growth continue its upward trend. The advance estimate was a rate of 4.1%. This was driven in part by strong consumption, as household finances continue their decade-long improvement. Strong export growth was also a factor; many attribute this…
Read MoreFirst Quarter 2018
Global Market and Economic Perspective Global Economic Commentary In the first quarter of 2018, real GDP growth in the US picked up further – to an annual rate of 2.9%. The economic expansion since the recession of ‘08-‘09 is on track to become the second longest in history. Only the 10-year growth span from 1991…
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