Sharkey, Howes & Javer

On this week’s episode of Inside the Economy, we look at Bitcoin to see how its recent price surge compares to some of the most famous asset bubbles in history. Global stock markets have gotten off to a strong start in 2018, but will this trend continue throughout the year? We also discuss the Federal Funds Rate, and what kind of hikes we expect to see through 2019. Tune in to hear about these topics and much more!

On today’s Inside the Economy, we recap 2017 stock market performance. Last year the index was consistently higher at the end of each month all year. Will we see a similar climb in 2018 and 2019? How will the tax code changes affect the stock markets? Tune in to hear this and more in the first Inside the Economy of 2018!

On this week’s Inside the Economy, we look at the change in direction of oil prices. Could a rise in oil prices signify the beginning of a recession, as has often been the case historically? In addition, we examine the U.S. stock market compared to other markets throughout the world. What has this performance meant for individual wealth, and which countries are benefiting the most? Tune in to find out.

In this week’s Inside the Economy, we take a look at inflation numbers in the U.S. After years of little to no inflation, we may start to see core inflation inch up to historical levels in the next year. In the consumer credit space, auto loan delinquencies have started to creep up, while delinquencies for student loans remain relatively unchanged. Tune in as we explore these trends and much more.

In this week’s Inside the Economy with SH&J, we examine S&P 500 companies’ record dividend payouts so far this year. What does this do to U.S. stock prices and can these record payouts continue? Many of the major economies across the globe are seeing expansion at the same time that the U.S. economy is growing. Are foreign companies taking part in offering dividend yield to investors similar to U.S. companies? Find out the answers to these questions and more by tuning in!

Today on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we review the Fed’s equilibrium rate target - the rate that is “ideal for the economy at full employment and growing at its potential”. We also review the correlation between gold and the S&P 500 as well as the strong underlying macroeconomics of the United States. Which country wants to be the new tourist destination? Tune in to find out!

On this week’s Inside the Economy, we discuss the effects that natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have on the U.S. economy. Greater Houston is the metropolitan area that contributes the most to United States Real GDP growth. Will Hurricane Harvey’s devastation of one of the nation’s most productive economic centers signal a slowdown for the U.S. economy as a whole? Tune in to find out!

On this week’s Inside the Economy, we examine how America’s personal savings have changed since the Great Recession. We also discuss how the Federal Reserve will begin to unwind its balance sheet of Treasuries and Mortgage Backed Securities over the next 5 years. Outside of the U.S., economic activity in Spain is looking brighter. What kind of impact will this positive outlook have on the referendum on Catalan independence on October 1st? Tune in to find out!

On today’s Inside the Economy, we look at the U.S. consumer and review disposable income and personal consumption. We also discuss the Fed’s QT (Quantitative Tightening) Policy of increasing interest rates and the changes to the Fed’s balance sheet as they begin to roll off the assets they acquired during the 2008-2009 timeframe. How will this affect our economy? Tune in to find out!

This week on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we review positive news with the release of the first estimate for second quarter GDP and the GDP outlook for the remainder of 2017. Listen in as we discuss the contribution of mining to earnings in the energy sector along with an update on the U.S. shale oil industry. In addition, can you guess which U.S. cities are seeing an influx of financial jobs?

This week on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we take a look at U.S. Energy consumption and the historic and current sources of electricity production. In addition, we review how large the U.S. economy has grown and the impact of inflation. Will a decrease in personal tax cuts encourage Americans to spend more and stimulate the economy? Tune in for an objective view on these issues and more.

Today on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we revisit the cause of the high inflation and interest rate environment in the early 1980’s and why looking back in time is important in comparison to today’s economic environment. We also compare and contrast the best performing stocks in the S&P 500 today to the early 2000’s tech bubble. Listen in as we take a stroll down memory lane and more.

Today on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we discuss the sustainability of 2% inflation here in the U.S. and the impact it has on long-term interest rates and mortgage rates despite the Federal Reserve’s increase in short-term rates. Inflation drivers, or lack thereof, also play a role in gasoline prices and car retail sales. Listen in to hear more about China’s recent downgrade by Moody’s, as well as which country has the largest capital inflow into the United States for commercial real estate.

The U.S. consumer debt burden is as low as it’s been in 30 years as savings increase and employment numbers are full. Today we discuss the United States’ need for continued immigration and why increasing interest rates aren’t reflected in money market accounts. Listen in to hear more about U.S. economics and Europe’s end of quantitative easing.

As the U.S. economy nears full employment, consumer confidence has increased and consumer debt has decreased. Today we discuss the impact of the French election and the international marketplace, as well as sovereign debt around the world. Stay tuned to learn more about GDP and inflation projections for 2017.

Tune in to our first video edition of Inside the Economy w/ SH&J! The Fed has now raised rates another 0.25% with the possibility of reaching 1.0% by the end of 2017. Ultimately, the goal of increasing rates is to keep CPI inflation around the 2% target – today we review why achieving this goal may prove difficult. In addition, we discuss the American Health Care Act (AHCA) as a possible alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the impact this has on Medicaid costs. Stay tuned to learn more about the underlying economics as we end the first quarter of 2017.

This week on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we focus on baby boomers and municipal bonds. Listen in to find out how prepared boomers are for retirement as well as how the lack of growth in sales taxes is impacting municipal bonds. We also discuss the rise in average hourly earnings since 2014 and the trend in consumer and government borrowing. Will we see another Fed Funds rate increase in March?

This week on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we discuss what the next brewing bubbles in the U.S. economy may be, and whether or not their imbalances could cause the next recession. In addition, we review the capital inflows of international money into U.S. commercial real estate and why China is selling off a portion of their U.S. Treasury holdings. Listen in to hear the economic chances of a recession in the near future.

This week on Inside the Economy with SH&J, we review the driving forces for raising interest rates and inflation including unemployment, consumer debt, and retail pricing. Also covered is the longer-term potential growth slope for GDP. Listen in to hear this week’s discussion, which includes insight on the United States’ dependence on trade and an update on the Eurozone.

This week on Inside the Economy, we discover why the age of low inflation may be ending and how yields are likely to be pushed higher. The Dow crossed above 20,000 for an all-time high on January 25, 2017, creating a stir in media headlines. Which sectors are being positively and negatively impacted by the incoming administration’s new policies? Listen in to find out more!