2024: Reasons for optimism under Democrat admin

Markets keep upward trend line

CNN ¡ª
Investors got some much-needed R&R over the weekend,
because they came back to work Monday with
a brighter outlook about the US economy.  

The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all gained on Monday!

   That¡¯s in stark contrast to the mood from last week,
when investors punished stocks in the lead-up to what
Wall Street predicted would be a less-than-thrilling jobs report.

On Friday, investors got what they expected: a fine,
but not great look at the labor market that showed
America¡¯s job market is growing
but not at the electric pace of past years.

Falling pump prices 

By around Thanksgiving, approximately 35 states could be below $3 a gallon, GasBuddy¡¯s Patrick De Haan told CNN.

      ¡°Gas prices, after two-plus years of sizzling
      because of outside factors like Covid and Russia,
      are finally coming back into balance,¡± said De Haan.

The accelerating drop in gas prices should help ease financial pressure on consumers and contribute to the cooling inflation rate.
That in turn could help pave the way for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates

Of course, the mood in the oil market can change on a dime.
If the violence in the Middle East disrupts oil flows from that crucial region, or the Russia-Ukraine war escalates, oil could rebound and gas prices rise.

Good News Wednesday!

CNN ¡ª       

  Inflation continues to loosen its grip on American consumers,
with price hikes slowing by the most in three and a half years!

The Consumer Price Index, a measurement of price changes
for a commonly purchased basket of goods and services,
briskly retreated from a 2.9% rate in July to 2.5% in August, 
the lowest since February 2021 and a rate that matches
the average seen in 2018, according to Bureau of Labor
Statistics data released Wednesday.

US news now rank US the third best country in the world.  Continuing rise in recent years.  Ranking number 1 in power, agility and strong international alliances. This is the highest level US has ever ranked in the report's history. 

happened under joe biden and the democrats   

Another encouraging inflation report
Wholesale inflation slowed again last month

CNN ¡ª

The Producer Price Index, which measures
average price changes seen by producers and manufacturers,
markedly slowed in August to a rate of 1.7% from an annual
increase of 2.1% the month before, according to Bureau of
Labor Statistics data released Thursday.

Economists had expected that the headline PPI would
increase 0.2% on a monthly basis and 1.8% annually

Andreas Hauskrecht, clinical professor of business
economics at Indiana University¡¯s Kelley School of
Business, told CNN in an interview:
¡°It¡¯s overwhelmingly positive.¡±                       

Mortgage rates drop!

Washington, CNN ¡ª
Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest point since February 2023, in a welcome sign for Americans grappling with a tough housing market.

The standard, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.20% in the week ended September 12, mortgage financing giant Freddie Mac said Thursday. That¡¯s down from last week¡¯s 6.35%

How accurate have election odds been in past presidential elections?

The betting favorite has only lost twice since 1866,
according to the Conversation, a nonprofit news
organization.

Contributing: James Powel, USA TODAY

**Kamala is currently the "betting favorite" vs the racist/CONVICTED FELON

Not great but helpful because we must ween off fossil fuels

WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration is moving to clarify how homeowners and businesses can receive lucrative tax credits for installing electric vehicle chargers.

A rule proposed Wednesday by the Treasury Department would make credits worth up to $1,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses available for each EV charger that is installed. If finalized, the new rule would be especially valuable to businesses that plan to install multiple chargers and would be eligible for significant credits to offset the expense.

Finally, federal reserve announces first rate cut in years because of significant progress in lowering inflation.  Relief is on the way as borrowing cost is about to become cheaper.

@thirdperson

Mortgage rates drop to lowest since early February 2023

Sept 19, Washington CNN ¡ª

Mortgage rates continued to decline this week,
taking a little more pressure off America¡¯s tight
housing market as the Federal Reserve ramps
up its efforts to keep the economy on an even keel.

Dow, S&P 500 close at record highs
after Fed¡¯s supersized rate cut

                                 
New York CNN ¡ª

Stocks jumped Thursday as investors cheered the Federal Reserve¡¯s half-point interest rate cut.

The Dow closed 522 points, or 1.3%, higher, reaching a new record after passing the 42,000 level for the first time.
The S&P 500 rose 1.7%, topping 5,700 for the first time and also closing at a fresh high.
The Nasdaq Composite added 2.5%.

@KellyM_1964

 Markets starting the week in a positive direction 

good start   in first week after half pt cut in rates  

@Zeus4par

Starting well again Tuesday.

But I expect some selloff this week, most likely Wednesday or Thursday, so it will dip a bit for sure before heading back upward.

@Zeus4par

  Good call.  There was indeed a selloff on Wednesday,

         and sure enough it is trending back up today.

Markets had a good rebound Thursday! 

On ABC news, US commerce department reveals that economy grew at 3% annual rate in third quarter this year because of strong consumer spending and business investment.  Labor department reports that number of Americans applying for jobless aid has dropped to lowest level.

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dow starting really well today too !