Charts & Chat - January 5, 2025

This week, CEO Eric Boyce, CFA discusses:

1. higher rates have not led to economic downturn, and economy maintains steady pace heading into 2025

2. households are in healthy shape, based on consumer credit, spending, real income

3. construction spending increased despite higher rates due to stimulus, data centers and $50B in spending by the Mag 7

4. with labor markets steady, inflation continues to meander lower, helped by productivity

5. short term interest rates still expected to come down; however, skepticism over number of rate cuts to expect in 2025

6. corporate profits high, net interest expense low heading into 2025

7. merger and acquisition activity and initial public offerings expected to rise in 2025

8. global growth expected ~3% in 2025

9. key considerations in the new year...tariffs (of course) and deficits

10. 151 years of stock returns - how it all stacks up