The Independent Market Observer

Sam Millette

Sam Millette is director, fixed income, on the Investment Management and Research team at Commonwealth. With the firm since 2013, he manages the fixed income research team, responds to advisor requests, analyzes individual bonds, and authors market research and commentary. Sam graduated from Tufts University with a degree in economics and is a member of the CFA Society Boston.

Recent Posts

Monday Update: Is Business Spending Starting to Slow?

March 28, 2022

February’s preliminary durable goods orders report was the only major economic data release last week. The report showed that durable goods orders fell by more than expected during the month, which could be a sign that business spending is starting to slow. This will be a busier week, with scheduled reports providing updates on consumer and manufacturer confidence, personal income, personal spending, and the March jobs report.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Retail Sales Growth Slows in February

March 21, 2022

Last week was jam-packed with economic updates and reports that covered a variety of sectors. The February retail sales report was one of the more widely monitored updates, as it showed that consumer spending continued to grow during the month. But the pace of sales growth slowed compared to the start of the year. This will be a relatively quiet week, with only one major update scheduled.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Consumer Inflation on the Rise

March 14, 2022

Several important economic updates were released last week, with a focus on international trade, consumer inflation, and consumer sentiment. The February consumer inflation report drew the most market attention, as it showed that inflationary pressure continued to rise. This will be a very busy week of updates with scheduled reports that will cover producer inflation, retail sales, the housing market, industrial production, and the March Fed meeting.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Hiring Accelerates in February

March 7, 2022

Several important economic updates were released last week, with a focus on February’s business confidence and job reports. The job report showed that more jobs were added than expected during the month, which drove the unemployment rate to a new pandemic-era low. This will be another busy week of updates relating to international trade, consumer inflation, and consumer sentiment.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Personal Spending Beats Expectations

February 28, 2022

Last week’s important economic updates centered around consumer confidence, personal income and spending, and durable goods orders reports. Personal spending growth increased more than expected in January, echoing a similar, better-than-expected rebound in retail sales growth during the month. This will be another busy week of updates, with a focus on business confidence and the February employment report.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Omicron Economic Impact Less Than Feared

February 22, 2022

Last week was full of important economic updates, many of which showed that the economic impact from the Omicron variant was relatively muted compared to earlier waves of the pandemic. The January retail sales report was a highlight, as sales growth experienced its best month since last March. This will be a quieter week for reports, with only three major releases scheduled that will provide updates on consumer confidence, personal income and spending, and durable goods orders.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Consumer Inflation Accelerates in January

February 14, 2022

There were a number of important economic data releases last week, with a focus on international trade, consumer prices, and consumer sentiment. The reports showed that continued high levels of inflationary pressure weighed on consumer sentiment to start February. This will be a very busy week of updates, with reports scheduled to cover producer inflation, retail sales, industrial production, new home construction, and the minutes from the most recent Fed meeting.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: January Jobs Report Surges Past Expectations

February 7, 2022

Last week’s important economic data releases included January’s business confidence and employment reports. The January jobs report was a highlight, as it showed the economy added significantly more jobs than expected throughout the end of 2021 and start of 2022. Among the updates to come this week, the focus will be on international trade, consumer prices, and consumer sentiment.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Economic Growth Accelerates in Q4 2021

January 31, 2022

There were a number of important economic updates last week, with a focus on consumer confidence, the Fed’s January meeting, and the advanced estimate of fourth-quarter GDP growth. The first look at GDP growth in the fourth quarter was a highlight, as the report showed that the economic recovery picked up speed to finish out the year. This will be another busy week of updates, with reports on business confidence and January employment serving as highlights to come.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Monday Update: Existing Home Sales Hit 15-Year High in 2021

January 24, 2022

Last week saw the release of a number of important economic updates, with a focus on the housing sector. The existing home sales report was a highlight, as sales of existing homes showed notable year-over-year growth in 2021. This week will be busy once again. The highlights to come include reports on consumer confidence, the results from the January FOMC meeting, and the first look at fourth-quarter GDP growth.

Continue reading → Leave a comment

Subscribe via Email

Crash-Test Investing

Hot Topics



New Call-to-action

Conversations

Archives

see all

Subscribe


Disclosure

The information on this website is intended for informational/educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.

Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly in an index.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) Index is a free float‐adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of 21 developed market country indices.

One basis point (bp) is equal to 1/100th of 1 percent, or 0.01 percent.

The VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) measures the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility across a wide range of S&P 500 options.

The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio divides the current share price of the index by its estimated future earnings.

Third-party links are provided to you as a courtesy. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided on these websites. Information on such sites, including third-party links contained within, should not be construed as an endorsement or adoption by Commonwealth of any kind. You should consult with a financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Member FINRASIPC

Please review our Terms of Use

Commonwealth Financial Network®