With an abundance of economic data this week we have a lot to cover. Here’s some of the key topics and insights:

With an abundance of economic data this week we have a lot to cover. Here’s some of the key topics and insights:

With an abundance of economic data this week we have a lot to cover. Here’s some of the key topics and insights:

-Markets still trading on the highs and lows of the AI trade

-Friday jobs report and continued inflamatory pressures saw 10Y treasury bump past 4.5% Friday, another threat to some growth stocks

-Space X IPO is close!

-Spending growth continues from consumers across all income brands, which brings a still persistent dislocation between spending and consumer sentiment.

With an abundance of economic data this week we have a lot to cover. Here’s some of the key topics and insights:

-One could argue that stock prices are too high, but that doesn’t mean they can’t go higher

– Volatility remains in oil markets, but oil prices likely higher for longer

-Bond yields have climbed a bit

-Per the FBI, the rate of internet crimes is climbing, likely due to AI

-Trump Accounts are starting to become available and funding begins July 4, 2026

As earnings season nears its completion, markets will be set adrift again.

The rising bond yields leave investors asking questions, but there are some benefits to higher interest rates.

The ability to launch an ETF is not terribly costly now, and the record number of ETFs created in 2025 is creating concerns in the marketplace.

And more! Listen below or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

With an abundance of economic data this week we have a lot to cover. Here’s some of the key numbers:

-Consumer prices rose 3.8% year over year.  Even stripping out volatile food and energy prices, core inflation rose 2.8%, which is well above our comfort zone.

-Producer prices soared 6% year over year, driven by surging oil costs. Soaring producer prices renew inflation worries as businesses are likely to pass those higher costs on to consumers in the coming months.

-Retail sales rose .5% last month, though largely driven by higher gasoline prices.  However, online shopping by consumers showed resilience.

-industrial production and Business Inventories rose in April, both showing stability in consumer demand.

Investors remain focused on earnings and interest rates, with a marked shift in stock prices since the end of March reflecting increasing optimism about stocks more broadly. The S&P is experiencing one of its best earnings seasons in 20 years, with growth in the first quarter looking to exceed 28%.

New investment tools in the Exchange Traded Fund space continue to emerge chasing a variety of investment themes, but challenges remain as investment expense and trend-chasing obscure what’s right with what’s possible.

On the economic front, relative stability in the labor market belies broader concerns about the war and rising prices. The reminder remains: cautious balance remains a far more prudent path than trying to predict bursting bubbles.

In this week’s episode, we break down a pivotal moment for the Federal Reserve and what it means for markets going forward. With Jay Powell presiding over his final meeting as Fed Chair—while signaling he’ll remain on the Board amid an ongoing DOJ probe—we unpack the historical significance of the moment and the policy decisions that came with it. Rates held steady at 3.5%–3.75%, offering investors a sense of stability, but rising disagreement within the Fed reveals a more complicated picture beneath the surface.

Earnings season, meanwhile, is delivering both excitement and volatility. Standout performances from major names saw double-digit jumps following their reports. With trading volumes surging and sharp market reactions becoming the norm, investors are navigating a fast-moving landscape.

We also tackle the growing conversation about U.S. debt, which has now surpassed 100% of GDP. While this milestone raises long-term concerns about fiscal sustainability, we explain why it doesn’t necessarily signal an imminent crisis.

Finally, we round out the episode with key economic data releases. Consumer confidence showed modest improvement in April, with optimism in the labor market offsetting concerns about geopolitical tensions and rising gas prices. On the labor front, initial jobless claims dropped to their lowest level in over 50 years, reinforcing the strength of the job market and complicating the Fed’s fight against inflation. GDP growth came in at a solid 2.0% annualized rate for Q1, boosted in part by ongoing AI investment, while core PCE remains elevated around 3.2%, underscoring that inflation is still very much in play.

As always – if you have any questions about what we’ve discussed this week, give your advisor a call at 414-223-1099!

(with Joel Dresang, engineered by Jason Scuglik)

No major announcements

Retail sales rose 1.7% in March, driven by higher gas prices. The U.S. Census Bureau said 12 of 13 categories reported higher revenue than February. The exception was miscellaneous stores. Gas station sales jumped 15.5% in a month when prices rose 24%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Excluding gas stations and car dealers, retail spending increased 0.6%. Sales at bars and restaurants rose 0.1%, following a 0.5% gain in February and two months of declines. Adjusted for inflation, total retail sales rose 0.8%, the most in a year. Retail sales represent about two-thirds of U.S. consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the gross domestic product.

Prospects for home sellers brightened slightly in March with a bump up in the pending home sales index from the National Association of Realtors. The trade group said its index rose 1.5% from February but was down 1.1% from the year before. It stood more than 26% below the 2001 index base, which the Realtors consider to be a normal sales level. The association said the monthly increase in contract signings amid rising mortgage interest rates suggested pent-up demand. It cited a lack of inventory, especially for young, first-time buyers. Among the top 50 metro areas in the country, the Realtors said the Milwaukee-Waukesha area had a 13.5% one-year gain in pending sales, second only to the Kansas City area, at 15%. 

No major announcements

The four-week moving average for initial unemployment claims rose slightly for the third week in a row to remain 42% below its average since 1967. A Labor Department report suggested continued reluctance among employers to let workers go. Total jobless claims dropped 1.9% from the week before to 1.9 million, which was 2.9% below the same time in 2025.

Consumer sentiment declined 6.6% in April as the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran continued to weigh down expectations for personal finances and the broader economy. Sentiment overall was nearly 5% lower than in April 2025 and near its low levels in mid-2022, when inflation reached 40-year highs. According to the University of Michigan survey, consumers expect inflation to rise to 4.7% in the next year and to settle around 3.5% longer term. The latest Consumer Price Index showed inflation at 3.3% in March, well above the Federal Reserve’s long-term target of 2%.