Stocks Higher in 2024: Most major market indices are continuing last year’s positive gains and are now in the double-digits for the year.
Inflation Moderating: The year-over-year increase in prices are once again near long-term averages.
Economy: The labor market has shown signs of normalizing, with fewer job openings and fewer employees voluntarily quitting their jobs in pursuit of better terms elsewhere. However, layoffs have been low and the unemployment rate remains at just 4.3%.
Earnings: S&P 500 earnings were once again positive and meaningfully outperformed Wall Street expectations for the second quarter of 2024.
Interest Rates: The US Federal Reserve has communicated its intent to begin reducing interest rates (finally).