A plethora of economic statistics exist that judge and measure economic progress and output.  Some measures are considered leading indicators in that they help predict or forecast future economic changes.  In addition, some are lagging by confirming an economic view of the world.  Moreover, some economic data can be seen as being coincident, meaning that they reflect the current economic state.

“There are many great economic indicators,” according to LPL Chief Investment Officer Burt White.  “From small business confidence to retail sales to employment data, but I would offer up two that I be

The recession appears to be behind us in the United States, and the early stages of an economic expansion have been taking shape. There is a growing debate over whether an expanding economy, in conjunction with historic fiscal and monetary policies, may cause inflation to overheat. This begs the question, will we see a reflationary environment—where prices will merely normalize to prior levels—or outright inflation—where consumer prices begin to increase above trend?

Thursday’s consumer price index (CPI) release may have put some of those concerns about inflation to rest—at least for now. US CPI rose

“Bulls make money, bears make money, and pigs get slaughtered.” Old Wall Street saying.

The Chinese New Year (often called the Lunar New Year) will kick off Friday, February 12, and with it will begin the Year of the Ox. Although we would never suggest investing based on the zodiac signs—it is important to note that the Year of the Ox has historically been quite strong for equities. Not to mention we are saying goodbye to the year of the Rat. Good riddance to the Rat, as the last two years of the Rat were 2008 and 2020, not the best years for many reasons!

Since the Chinese New Year typically starts

The 10-year breakeven inflation rate, a market-based measure of inflation expectations, hit its highest level last Friday, February 5, since 2014. Still, at 2.21% expected annual inflation over the next 10 years, it remains a relatively tame number, sitting a little above the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) 2% target. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the 10-year breakeven inflation rate is near the very top of its range going back to mid-2013. Looking back further, even early in the last expansion breakeven expectations never rose above 2.7%.

“We may see inflation rates we haven’t seen in decades over the next year