Charts & Chat - May 13, 2024

This week, CEO Eric Boyce discusses: 1. estimates for 2nd quarter economic growth increasing to +4% annual rate; recession mentions in earnings calls are receding 2. labor market little softer, but still remains at or near full employment. 3. increased AI mentions in earnings calls suggests the implementation of AI into business processes next few years will help drive significant productivity enhancements 4. Fed rate cuts likely to be fewer and farther out - stocks can perform in that environment 5. private capital sitting on a lot of funds, exits are harder to come by right now 6. strong fund flows into fixed income, higher yield, and equities, despite disparity of large to small caps & capitalization weighted stocks to equal weight 7. Earnings estimates going up; earnings growth will be needed for further stock price appreciation