Consumer spending, measured by Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), makes up approximately two-thirds of the economy and is a direct measure …
Single Premium Immediate Annuities
A Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) is an exchange of a lump sum (premium) for a stream of income (annuity) …
Gifting Opportunities in a Low-Interest-Rate Environment
In early 2020, the Fed cut down their rate to zero to stimulate the economy. We have since learned this …
An Overlooked Opportunity to Reduce Medicare Premiums
The Social Security administration calculates Medicare premiums using a two year look back on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). As …
Changes to Charitable Contributions
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and has already become infamous for rollout issues. However, …
Chicago Fed National Activity Index
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) is a weighted average of 85 existing monthly indicators of national economic activity that …
Chemical Activity Barometer
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB) is a composite index, which is comprised of indicators drawn from a range of chemicals …
U.S. Building Permits
US Building Permits, as defined by the Census Bureau, is the approval or authorization by the government to legally work …
Housing Starts
Housing starts track the number of new residential construction projects over a month. This indicator has implications for demand in …
Retail Sales
Retail Sales are the total amount of merchandise and related services sold to consumers. It is considered a sign of strength …