The Focus Shifts

May 23, 2025 All of a sudden the issue of tariffs has yielded to concern about budget deficits, debt, and rising interest rates. The catalyst for the change in focus was the combination of the credit rating downgrade of Treasury debt by Moody’s, and the 2025 budget...

On the Rebound

May 16, 2025 It appears that Trump’s recent tariff relief will continue for some time to come.  While  the reprieve is only guaranteed for 90 days, it is likely that upon expiration of the 90-day period the lower tariffs will be extended until such time as a permanent...

We Are In this Together

May 9, 2025 The tariffs imposed by the U.S. and the countermeasures employed by its trading partners are a hot topic of discussion amongst economists, business leaders, consumers, and investors in the U.S.  While estimates of the magnitude, breadth, and duration of...

Fed Rate Cut Fever Returns

April 25, 2025 Fed bashing is back.  A week ago Trump’s economic advisor, Kevin Hassett, said that the administration was studying options to remove Powell.  Ouch!  On Monday Trump managed to spook the markets  when he called for preemptive rate cuts by the Fed...

Manage Your Fear

April 18, 2025 One can justify almost any forecast of the economic environment between now and yearend from recession with a big increase in the unemployment rate and a dramatic pickup in the inflation rate, to moderate growth with a slight pickup in inflation and a...