The ongoing government shutdown has created a data vacuum, delaying key economic reports and clouding visibility for the Federal Reserve ahead of its next meeting. Markets now face the unenviable task of interpreting policy direction with limited official data, relying instead on supplemental and tangential indicators to gauge the economy’s trajectory.
With international stock markets comprising about 40 percent of the world’s capitalization as of 2023, a broad range of investment opportunities exist outside the borders of the U.S.1
Last week’s economic data painted a mixed picture of the U.S. economy.
How to help determine life insurance needs to provide for your family after you pass away.
The week began with key sentiment data from the S&P Global Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMIs). Both readings came in slightly below market expectations and last month’s figures, suggesting some softening in forward-looking sentiment. However, with Manufacturing at 52.0 and Services at 53.9, both remain above the 50 threshold, signaling continued expansion in economic activity rather than contraction.
Understanding the economy’s cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.