Sharkey, Howes & Javer

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we take a closer look at recent consumer spending trends. Spending has started to stabilize. What are consumers doing with their money? In other news, forbearance and eviction protection is coming to an end this week. Will it be extended? All eyes continue to be on the Federal Reserve. What will their next actions be? Tune in to learn about all this and more! Key Takeaways: - 30 year mortgages continue to drop - The 2020 recession was shortest on record - Drought in the western states continue to pose problems

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we discuss inflation and the jobs outlook. Core inflation has continued to rise, reaching about 3.4% YOY. Spending has remained muted, savings rates are at all-time highs, food and gas prices have risen, but with the Federal Reserve’s target still at 2%, where will inflation be at the end of the year? Job growth is rebounding faster than any other recession Post WWII, but when will we see full employment? Tune in to learn about all this and more! Key Takeaways: - Personal savings rates continue to sit at all-time highs - Medium home prices remain high with low market supply - Low yields continue in investment-grade corporate bonds - 2021 1st Quarter GDP estimate comes in at 6.4%

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we take a deeper look at inflation. With core inflation rising to 3.8%, is this price inflation in the market a long-term trend or transitory? Unemployment numbers continue to shrink as unemployment benefits lessen and folks get back to work. U.S. imports begin to increase again as demand for cars and other goods skyrocket. TSA Checkpoint travel numbers have drastically increased, showing that Americans are ready for a summer vacation. There is a major drought out West, which states and industries have been affected the most? Tune in to hear about all this and more! This week on “Inside the Economy”, we take a deeper look at inflation. With core inflation rising to 3.8%, is this price inflation in the market a long-term trend or transitory? Unemployment numbers continue to shrink as unemployment benefits lessen and folks get back to work. U.S. imports begin to increase again as demand for cars and other goods skyrocket. TSA Checkpoint travel numbers have drastically increase

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we will address inflation and consumer spending. Core inflation year over year jumped in April. The Federal Reserve’s target is still 2%, where will it be at the end of the year? Spending is back to where it was, however, most consumers are still sitting on a lot of cash. Will this keep inflation at bay? Tune in to learn about all this and more! Key Takeaways: - Oil is little changed despite the cybersecurity issue on east coast - 30 year mortgages continue to steady - Hourly wages pick up as service industry reopens - The U.S. dollar is still the world reserve currency, by a lot

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we discuss the increase in consumer spending and the uptick in inflation. Inflation has seen a small increase, mainly driven from the current energy sector. There has been an increase in consumer spending, with the fastest pace of consumer spending on record this past March. The question is, will it continue and where is the money coming from? Personal savings has continued to grow to all-time highs as people continue to wait to spend money on travel, entertainment, etc. Tune in to learn about all this and more! Key Takeaways: - U.S. Retail Sales rise at second fastest pace on record - Headline CPI grows higher, driven by energy, yet remains below 2% - Personal savings continue to grow to all-time highs - Earnings and profits drive stock market higher

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we discuss the recent change in inflation and the current housing market. There has been a boost in headline inflation, driven by rising fuel prices and increased travel. Is this trend here to stay or is it a temporary reaction? Personal savings grew over the last year, but consumers are looking to make up for lost time with increased spending in 2021. Low housing inventory is driving up prices, but which sector of the housing market has the lowest supply? Tune in to learn about this and more! Key Takeaways: -Retail Sales hit a new high after a year of increased savings -Headline CPI grows higher, driven by fuel prices, while Core CPI stays under 2% -Gasoline supply returns to pre-pandemic levels as travel improves -Sparce inventory in low-income housing has driven up prices, while interest rates remain low -State and local tax revenue continued to grow in 2020, despite the pandemic

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we examine the future of individual and government spending. Personal income has seen a boost in the last year, thanks to unemployment benefits and government stimulus. President Biden has released details for a $2 trillion dollar infrastructure plan. Where does he plan to spend the most money? Which tech giant has added over half a million jobs in the last year? Tune in to hear about all of this and more! Key Takeaways: - GDP numbers continue to slowly increase - Biden’s Infrastructure plan includes spending $620 billion on transportation, with a large allotment to electric vehicles - Corporate profits continue to grow - In the last year, Amazon hired more employees than 136 other top companies combined - Corporate taxes are relatively low, but most likely will see an increase

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we discuss the current interest rate environment and fears of inflation. The 10 year treasury has continued to rise forcing bond prices lower. Where will the 10 year yield end up? Fears around inflation may be outweighing reality. The yield curve is steepening, but what does that mean? Will the new administration be able to close the funding gap? Tune in to find out more! Key Takeaways: - Oil prices remain steady - Unemployment continues to trend in the right direction - The housing market is still robust - New business applications are on the rise

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we take a look at the nation’s debt levels and the direction of interest rates. The recent movement in Congress on another stimulus package will add another $1.9 trillion to the nation’s debt. Are these debt levels sustainable? What’s the impact of the debt and will it be manageable when interest rates rise? The stock market has experienced recent volatility, specifically in the tech sector. Where will the index be at the end of 2021? Tune in to find out more! Key Takeaways: • Current stimulus package is around 9% of GDP • Personal Income continues to rise due to stimulus checks • Oil prices reach mid $60s • Unemployment continues to decline

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we examine the state of inflation and the future of the bond market. The yield curve continues to normalize as long-term interest rates slowly creep up. Overall inflation has stayed low, but there are sectors that have seen major price inflation. We are still in the midst of a bull market; how do the last 11 months compare to previous bull markets? Investment-grade bonds were a place of comfort during a volatile year, but has that changed in 2021? Tune in to learn more! Key Take-aways: - Textbooks and college tuition led price inflation from 1996-2006 - As industrial and manufacturing production return to pre-pandemic levels, so does U.S. imports and exports - The current bull market is up 75% from the low in March, the second largest bull market return - Leveraged loans and high-yield debt start the year off strong - Paying off all student debt would cost $1.5 trillion

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we discuss the recovery of consumer spending. Since the start of the pandemic, consumer spending is trending up and credit card balances are trending down. Will this continue in 2021 and what impact will it have on GDP? The Federal Reserve expects to keep rates low for at least 12-18 months. As the Fed continues to buy debt, what will that do to the yield curve and treasury markets? Tune in to find out more! Key Takeaways: - Oil prices are steadily increasing. - Fourth quarter GDP estimates are around 4%, we expect it to be revised higher. - 30-year mortgages are still under 3%. - Unemployment steadily declines.

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we examine where U.S. citizens and the government are spending money. As the end of year numbers start to roll in, it looks like consumers did not hold back when it came to holiday spending. Part of that spending included an increase in imported goods, but one import is being left behind as the U.S. produces more stateside. Many public companies are sitting on a plethora of cash, but what about Americans and non-profits? The value of real estate continues to increase, but are the trends far off from what we have seen historically? Tune in to learn about this and more! Key Takeaways: - We are importing more goods than ever, but less petroleum - Americans still have trillions of dollars sitting in savings accounts - Household asset values continue to climb, a lot in thanks to real estate values - Manufacturing has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels - The U.S. dollar is at its lowest point since 2018

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we look at the start of 2021 in terms of economic data. Unemployment holds steady around 6.7%. Manufacturing data continues to expand and improve. Oil prices break $50 to start the year. What impacts will Saudi Arabia and Russia have on the oil markets in 2021? Government debt continues to pile up. What are the risks and is it a problem? State revenues are looking better than projected. Will there be another stimulus? Tune in to find out. Key Takeaways: - Annual Hiring is picking up - Oil prices break $50 - The Federal Deficit continues to climb - Inflation is still muted, but treasury yields are creeping higher.

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we look at the spending trends of U.S. consumers and the effect on domestic businesses. As unemployment rates improve, Americans get back to spending their hard-earned money. With used car sales continuing to climb—is public transportation doomed? The flight to the suburbs continues as downtown rental vacancies increase and new construction housing reaches a new high. This spending trend has had a positive impact on the U.S. economy as many businesses are seeing increased revenues. How has this spending trend impacted new business applications? Tune in to hear about all this and more! Key Takeaways: • U.S. consumers continue to spend, especially on used cars and new build homes • Downtown rental vacancies across the U.S. reach new heights • Company revenues are recovering, boosted by consumer spending Commercial and industrial lending increases as interest rates remain low • Applications for new U.S. businesses have grown by almost 40% year-over-year

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we talk about U.S. consumer and business trends. Consumers are paying down debt and household net worth continues to increase. The travel & leisure industries have not seen a rebound due to consumers staying away, however retail car sales are almost back to normal. How long will it take for certain industries to recover? On the business side, bond issuance and borrowing maintain their rising pace. What is the trend in new business applications? Tune in to find out and hear more! Key Takeaways: • Manufacturing is beginning to stabilize • Unemployment is mostly unchanged from last month, but more major companies are planning layoffs soon • Retail car sales are on the rise and almost back to normal • Delinquency rates are down slightly 80% of the economy has adapted, the other 20% may need a vaccine before returning to normal

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we explore the improving job market and current debt trends during the coronavirus pandemic. Unemployment rates continue to improve as people get back to work and stop collecting unemployment benefits. A combination of spending less and uncertainty surrounding the future has Americans paying down debt. Where are debt delinquencies increasing and where are they decreasing? Many U.S. citizens are sitting on additional cash, but how much cash is currently sitting in the U.S. banking system? Corporations continue to issue new bonds as money remains “cheap” due to low interest rates. Tune in to hear about all of this and more! Key Takeaways: • Unemployment rates and outstanding benefit claims continue to decrease • Unemployment benefits made-up over 30% of U.S. personal income, but has declined • Outstanding consumer debt has reduced as Americans pay off loans • There is currently over $12 trillion in cash sitting in American’s savings accounts • Gross corporate bond issuance in

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we focus on the employment trends. Unemployment remains high, however new jobs are being created in specific sectors. On a positive note, retail spending at non store retailers have increased year over year. Will this trend continue? The extra $600 per month of Federal unemployment has stopped and to no surprise, mortgage delinquencies are on the rise. We also look at remittances to Mexico, the dollar and gold prices. Tune in to find out more! Key Takeaways: - Unemployment remains high overall, but in pockets of the job market hiring is robust - Retail spending continues to trend upwards - Foreclosures and evictions are starting to increase - Workers in the US are sending more money back to Mexico to support families - Less oil transactions and international tourism are a few factors contributing to a weaker dollar and higher gold prices

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we reflect on the gross domestic product (GDP) and employment trends from the second quarter. What was the impact on GDP as a result of the lockdown? As spending and employment rates continue to recover, what is in store for the remainder of 2020? More job openings are becoming available and temporary layoffs are returning to the workforce, but what is the trend with permanent layoffs? Consumer spending has been down since many are staying closer to home, but it seems as if stimulus spending has helped boost spending during this difficult year. What industries have seen the direct impact of restricted spending? Tune in to hear this and much more! Key Takeaways: • GDP declined at an annual rate of 32.9% in Q2 of 2020. • Temporary layoffs have dropped, but permanent job loss has been slowly climbing • Job openings are beginning to increase • Decreased spending has led to less outstanding credit as Americans have more money to pay off loans and credit cards • Travel, real esta

This week on “Inside the Economy”, we continue to monitor economic data as it continues to improve. Fiscal stimulus comes in many forms, like the direct payments or federal unemployment benefits, and has totaled more than 12% of GDP. What will the next bill look like from Congress and how much more money will be added to the national debt? Gold has had a strong rally as buyers speculate on future inflation and the value of the dollar. What’s to come over the next several months? Tune in to find out more! Key Takeaways: • Economic data continues to improve with retail sales, production increases, and housing data. • Stock market indices continue their recovery lead by big tech as earnings show better than expected. • Gold is rallying and another stimulus bill from Congress is coming soon.

Today on “Inside the Economy”, we examine the impact that COVID-19 has had on the U.S. job market. As a society, we have witnessed numerous recessions over the last 75 years but none quite like this. How will the uncertainty regarding Coronavirus effect unemployment over the long-term? As Americans wait to see what is next, many are sitting on more cash than usual. How is this impacting spending and has it affected stock market returns? Tune in to find out! Key Takeaways: • COVID-19 spurred a dramatic change in unemployment numbers, different from previous recessions • Although unemployment numbers remain high, we are starting to see an increase in hiring and job openings again • We have seen an increase in mortgage delinquency but it is nowhere near 2008-09 This year has been a volatile year for all asset classes but gold and 10-year Treasuries remain on top • Corporate debt and money supply continue to climb