In this episode of "Markets with Megan," Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, discusses the Federal Reserve's recent announcements and their implications for the financial markets. Recorded on May 1, 2024, the podcast provides an in-depth look at the Fed's decision to maintain interest rates and adjust its balance sheet reduction strategy. Megan evaluates the economic data released earlier, including GDP and ISM reports, to forecast potential market reactions...

Discover the driving forces behind our fluctuating economy as Megan dissects recent economic indicators and their influence on the markets by unraveling the complexities of the latest GDP report, where personal consumption hits its lowest since Q2 of 2023, The intertwined web of high credit card debt and dwindling savings rates are reshaping consumer spending habits. The 'magnificent seven' earnings reports have left the markets with good news/bad news—where big names like Meta and Tesla...

Discover the economic ripples that follow when core inflation metrics stubbornly defy expectations. Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, critically analyzes the latest persistently high core PCE inflation reading, revealing a challenging landscape for the Federal Reserve and the broader economy. With a 2.8% increase clashing with anticipated figures and personal spending outstripping income growth, Megan dissects the precarious balance between consumer...

Discover the underlying factors that turned the stock market on its head with Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer for Verdence Capital Advisors, as she analyzes the latest GDP report in our segment, Markets with Megan. The forecasted economic growth of 2.5% fell short at 1.6%, and Megan dissects the contributing factors, from a significant contraction in net exports to a slowdown in inventory changes. The report's impact didn't stop at disappointing numbers; it sent investors into a...

In this week's Markets With Megan episode, Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, dives into the highly anticipated first-quarter earnings season. As the earnings season kicks off, Megan discusses the expected growth rate of 0.5% on a year-over-year basis, the slowest quarter of growth since the end of the earnings recession. 📈 This week is crucial as several tech giants, including a few of the "Magnificent Seven," are set to report earnings. These mega-cap...

With the latest home sales data, we saw March's unexpected slide in existing home sales that has everyone talking, and we're breaking down the nuances that could change your perspective on the housing market. As spring selling season kicks off, it's not all doom and gloom; we've spotted some bright spots, including a much-needed increase in housing supply. In this episode, we analyze the regional sales fluctuations, the uptick in median home prices after months of decline, and how these...

In this episode, Megan examines the recent decline in the leading economic indicator index for March, which may be signaling a recession. This index has pointed to negative growth in 24 out of the last 25 months, a pattern that has often preceded economic downturns in the past. Megan explores the various factors contributing to this trend, such as a decrease in building permits and a slowdown in orders for non-defense capital goods. Despite these concerns, consumer spending has remained...

In this episode, Megan discusses the latest economic data impacting the housing market. Despite hopes of stabilization, higher interest rates are once again disrupting the housing sector. There has been a significant 14.7% drop in housing starts—the largest since April 2020—in both single and multifamily housing units. There has also been a 4.3% decline in building permits, especially for single-family homes, raising concerns for future construction. With mortgage rates exceeding 7% for two...

Megan discusses what's shaking consumer confidence and how it could influence your next financial move as she unpacks the latest University of Michigan Consumer Confidence Report. She breaks down the numbers and the underlying sentiments that signal where the economy might be heading. Megan doesn't hold back in explaining why these figures are more than just statistics—they're a crystal ball that the Federal Reserve and investors alike are watching intently. With a dip in the equity markets...

Discover the reasons behind Wall Street's latest turmoil as Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, deciphers the fresh economic data that's making waves among investors. We dissect the March FOMC minutes and their subtle hints at future interest rate cuts, inflation worries, and the lurking economic deceleration in 2024. With financial markets quaking from unexpected inflation figures and a disappointing Treasury note auction, Megan navigates the intricate...

Today, Megan gives her take on the much-anticipated CPI report for March. Megan discusses the surprising inflation trends, challenging the notion of seasonal influences. Despite initial expectations, inflation seems to be holding steady, even showing slight increases, much to the concern of the Federal Reserve. Key highlights include: Analysis of CPI report for March, revealing unexpected inflationary pressures.Insights into the sources of inflation beyond energy prices, focusing on housing...

If unraveling the complexities of the labor market and its implications on your investments is on your to-do list today, then you're in for a treat!  Megan describes an unexpected boom in job creation that's left even the optimistic forecasts in the dust. In this episode, Megan reveals a surprising March 2024 Jobs Report. The US economy created a staggering 303,000 jobs--the most since May 2022--surpassing expectations. Megan analyzes the key sectors driving this growth, including...

Join Megan as she dissects the recent ISM Services report for March, unpacking the unexpected downturn and its implications for the economy. With a focus on crucial metrics like the price index, employment trends, and inflationary pressures, Megan provides comprehensive analysis. Despite the disappointing figures, learn why certain aspects of the report sparked optimism among investors and what it means for future market dynamics. Stay ahead of the curve and gain valuable insights into the...

In today’s episode, Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer, discusses the latest developments in the manufacturing sector. After 17 months, we finally see a significant shift as the ISM Manufacturing Index enters expansion territory, marking a pivotal moment for the economy. Megan breaks down the key components driving this growth, including production and new orders, while also addressing concerns about inflationary pressures and their impact on market sentiment. As we navigate through...

Join Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer, as she provides insights into the final GDP reading for the fourth quarter of 2023. In this update, Megan discusses the growth figures, highlighting the positive revisions in personal consumption and government spending, particularly in the service sector. Despite some downward adjustments in spending on goods, the overall economic outlook remains promising. Megan also touches on inflation trends, shedding light on the Fed's perspective. Looking...

Prepare to uncover the economic insights that could sway your investment perspective, as Megan Horneman of Verdence Capital Advisors offers her analysis on March's consumer confidence report. The unexpected dip in confidence and its potential repercussions on spending behavior is a must-hear for anyone keeping track of the economy's impact on the equity markets. This episode of Markets with Megan is packed with crucial takeaways as we discuss the factors contributing to consumer...

In this episode of Markets with Megan featuring Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, she discusses the latest economic data in the housing market. With surprising increases in housing starts and existing home sales, there's finally some good news after years of disappointing trends. Notably, the rise in single-family housing activity signals a positive shift, though challenges such as supply shortages and rising prices persist, impacting affordability. Tune...

Join Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, as she breaks down the latest Federal Reserve meeting held on March 20th. Despite keeping interest rates unchanged, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's remarks leaned heavily towards the bullish side, reassuring investors. Powell's dovish stance, highlighted in both the press conference and Fed statement, hinted at a potential peak in rates and downplayed recent inflation concerns, fueling optimism in the market....

Chief Investment Officer, Megan Horneman,  breaks down the latest market developments in this episode of Markets with Megan. Today, we witnessed a significant shift as the Bank of Japan ended its negative interest rate policy, marking the conclusion of an era. Megan discusses the reasons behind this move, citing factors such as achieving the 2% inflation target and concerns about wage growth. Despite the anticipated impact on the yen, the market reacted cautiously due to the Bank's dovish...

Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, brings you insights on the February employment report in today's episode. While the market response was relatively subdued, with equities initially rising and later pulled down by Nasdaq profit-taking, the employment data revealed a creation of 275,000 jobs in February, exceeding expectations. However, the unemployment rate rose to 3.9%, a two-year high, due to more people entering the labor force without immediate...

In this episode of Markets with Megan, Chief Investment Officer Megan Horneman looks into the Federal Reserve's recent testimony to Congress. While no major interest rate changes were announced, the Fed hinted at potential cuts later in 2024 if inflation falls as expected. The focus on controlling inflation remains a top priority. The biggest surprise came with a shift in tone on Basel 3 banking regulations. Originally designed to strengthen banks after the recession, Basel 3 has drawn...

In this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, looks into the recently released ISM Services Report for February. Despite a slight slip in the index, it has remained in expansion territory for 14 consecutive months. Megan breaks down key aspects, such as the decline in prices paid, indicating a positive trend for inflation, and the noteworthy improvement in business activity and new orders. However, she notes a mixed bag of...

On this episode of Markets with Megan, economic insights that could influence your investment strategies as Megan Horneman, Chief Investment Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, breaks down the  findings of the latest ISM Manufacturing Report. With the manufacturing sector showing signs of contraction for a record-breaking 16 months, we're analyzing what this means for the economy's health and a potential recession. Megan discusses the concerning downturn in new orders and the parallels in...

In today's episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman looks into the highly anticipated Personal Consumption Expenditure Report, breaking down crucial details on personal income, spending, and inflation. She discusses the PCE Core deflator, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, highlighting its significance in comparison to the CPI index. Megan covers the unexpected rise in personal income, the more subdued personal spending, and the consequent increase in the personal savings rate. looking...