A Safer Retirement®
Learn about the latest economic news, discover the potential impact on you and your financial plan, and explore insights you can use to help meet your goals.
May 2026
Where Is the American Household, Really?
This month's data tells two stories at once. On the surface, the US economy looks unmistakably strong. Factory orders excluding [...]
The Calibration Problem: Record Earnings, a New Fed Chair, and a Setup with No Margin for Error
The S&P 500 just closed at a fresh all-time high. Profit margins are at their highest level since FactSet began [...]
April 2026
Beneath the Headlines: A Slowing Consumer and Narrowing Market Leadership
The headlines pointed to strength. The underlying data tells a more nuanced story. Here's a closer look at what we're [...]
Record Buybacks, Cooler Inflation, and a Manufacturing Surprise: This Week in Markets
Corporate America is on pace for a record $1 trillion in stock buybacks this year. Manufacturing surprised to the upside. [...]
The Headlines Look Good — Here’s What’s Actually Happening in the Economy
Markets cheered a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, payrolls nearly tripled expectations, and tax refunds are running 14% above last year. On the [...]
The Economy in Plain English: What the Data Is Really Telling You This Week
Gas is above $4 a gallon. Rents are falling. Jobs bounced back — but the trend is softer than the [...]
