Insights

June 7, 2026 A GREAT MONTH FOR JOBS: On Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. economy added 172,000 net new jobs in May, a lot more than was generally expected. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%. STOCK WINNING STREAK ENDS: The Iran war seemed to take a back seat this past week. Oil prices did not move much, and news from the Middle East was indecisive. So what moved markets to decline? The tech sector took center stage once ag

May 31, 2026 OIL PRICES FALL BELOW $100 AND GAS PRICES BUDGE: The Brent Crude Oil Wholesale Spot price continued to decrease, ending the week at about $95 per barrel. Gasoline prices have not moved as decisively, but they have come down. On May 20, the average price for regular gasoline in the U.S. was $4.56. It is now $4.39. Summer driving season tends to push demand, and thus prices, up, and global oil supplies remain vulnerable. Even if (a big 'if') the Iran war wind

Some financial risks are obvious. Market volatility, inflation, taxation, and economic uncertainty tend to receive the most attention because they are measurable and visible. But some of the most significant financial risks develop quietly through avoidance.

May 24, 2026 HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY AND HAPPY GRADUATION SEASON: All of us will experience Memorial Day this weekend, and many of us will get the opportunity to celebrate a graduation this season. In that spirit, I will share words from a graduation speech last week...good advice for all of us, not just recent grads: "Friendship now requires much more intentionality than it once did. So my advice, as you think about what does and doesn’t deserve your attention, is reach out to

May 17, 2026 THE EXPECTED CPI INCREASE: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released April's consumer price index. The CPI rose 0.6% after increasing 0.9% in March. Energy prices rose sharply once again, up 3.8%. The 12-month CPI number has moved back up to 3.8%. Those are ugly numbers, Energy prices accounted for 40% of the rise. Once the war winds down, it should bring oil prices back in a downward direction, but for now we are all paying higher prices, and the over

May 10, 2026 HEALTHY APRIL JOBS REPORT: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy added 115,000 net new jobs in April. The government sector shed 8,000 jobs and private sector jobs rose by 123,000. The leading gains were in health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail. Manufacturing decreased by 2,000 jobs. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%. Average hourly earnings rose by 0.2% and are up 3.6% over the last twelve months

May 3, 2026 U.S. GDP INCREASED AT 2.0% ANNUAL RATE IN FIRST QUARTER: The U.S. economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), rose by a 2.0% annual rate in the first quarter of 2026. The largest contributor to growth was business investment in equipment and intellectual property. Personal consumption also fueled the positive number. Personal consumption, business fixed investment, and home building combined rose at a 2.5% annualized rate. So, the U.S. is not in rec

April 26, 2026 VOLATILE OIL PRICES EDGE DOWN AGAIN: The Brent Crude Oil spot price ended the week down another $3.00 per barrel. In the last three weeks it has ended at $119, $116, and now $113. It briefly got below $100 last week before rising again. CONSUMERS IN A FOUL MOOD: The University of Michigan has been keeping a survey-driven consumer sentiment index for about fifty years. In March, the index came in at 49.8, dropping from 53.3 the month before. That is the lo

April 19, 2026 OIL PRICES EDGE DOWN: The Brent Crude Oil spot price edged down from last week's closing price of $119 to $116. This is progress, but whether it holds depends on whether there is progress or setbacks in the Middle East this week. STOCK RALLY CONTINUES: Continued news of progress in ending hostilities in the Middle East pushed stocks higher again on Friday, confirming a third straight week of stock gains. Comments by the Iranian Foreign Minister that the St