August was a quiet but good month, as indices and the stock market were up in the U.S. and abroad. Hiring was strong, consumer confidence surprised to the upside, and consumer spending continued to grow. Still, as I discuss in this month's Market Thoughts video, the big questions concern volatility: Why is volatility so low, and is it going to continue?
To answer these questions, I'll look at the consumer’s role in the recovery, whether there are signs of improvement on the business side, and the view from the Fed. I'll also explore what to expect in September. Stay tuned for more.