Three ways financial advisors can be more productive in the new year after starting their own independent practice.

Income ETFs can help retirees and their advisors navigate complicated economic times as they strive to meet their goals.

The weekly leading economic index (WLEI) is a composite for the U.S economy that draws from over 20 time-series and groups them into the following six broad categories which are then used to construct an equally weighted average. As of December 12th, the index was at 6.71 with 3 of the 6 components in expansion territory.

Our monthly workforce recovery analysis has been updated to include the latest employment report for November. The unemployment rate inched up to 4.6%, its highest level since 2021. Additionally, the number of new non-farm jobs (a relatively volatile number subject to extensive revisions) came in at 64,000.

The economic narrative last week was shaped by a highly anticipated Federal Reserve rate cut, which came against a backdrop of conflicting signals in the labor market.

The economic narrative last week was dominated by a mix of cooling inflation and a softening labor market.

The 20th century Baby Boom was one of the most powerful demographic events in the history of the United States. We've created a series of charts to show seven age cohorts of the employed population from 1948 to the present.

Today, one in three of the 65-69 cohort, one in five of the 70-74 cohort, and one in ten of the 75+ cohort are in the labor force.

The labor force participation rate (LFPR) is a simple computation: You take the civilian labor force (people aged 16 and over employed or seeking employment) and divide it by the civilian non-institutional population (those 16 and over not in the military and or committed to an institution). As of September, the labor force participation rate is at 62.4%, up from 62.3% the previous month.

Last week's economic landscape was defined by conflicting signals from key indicators, suggesting a growing divergence between investor behavior and underlying consumer health.

Now that government workers are back in the office, the data flood is coming. Here are the four reports we’re most excited for, why they matter, and what we last heard from them.

Last week’s economic data sent mixed signals. Consumer sentiment plummeted to a near-record low on economic anxiety, and the manufacturing sector continued its long contraction.

Last week’s economic data sent mixed signals. Consumer sentiment plummeted to a near-record low on economic anxiety, and the manufacturing sector continued its long contraction.

Last week’s economic narrative centered around the Federal Reserve's latest rate cut, a decision complicated by the government shutdown and lack of economic data.

While the ongoing government shutdown continues to delay the release of many reports, a key piece of economic data managed to break through last week.

Secondary economic indicators have taken on heightened importance amid the ongoing government shutdown. Read through a handful of these secondary reports from the week of October 13th-18th.

In a week marked by renewed S&P 500 volatility stemming from reignited tariff talks and the ongoing challenge of a government shutdown that continues to delay crucial government reports, investors and analysts have increasingly turned to secondary economic indicators for a timely view of the U.S. economy.

In the absence of primary government indicators, policymakers and investors alike must turn to private sector releases to find clarity. These secondary reports paint a picture of a cooling labor market and an increasingly cautious consumer.

Last week’s economic data presented a sharp contradiction between a resilient U.S. economy and increasingly concerned American households.

The median household is the statistical center of the Middle Class. Let's take a closer look at the Census Bureau's latest annual household income data with a focus on middle class income. In this update, we'll focus on the growing gap between the median (middle) and mean (average) household incomes across the complete time frame of the Census Bureau's annual reporting from 1867 to 2024.

What is the relationship between education and household income? The Census Bureau’s 2024 annual survey data provides valuable insights into this question. The median household income for individuals aged 25 and older was $85,580, but how does this figure vary based on educational attainment?

Last week's economic data presented a challenging picture for the U.S. economy with key inflation reports delivering conflicting signals and a timely labor market indicator added to the narrative of a softening labor market. Read through the major economic news from the week of September 8th - 12th.

The median US income in 2024 was $83,730, up from $22,420 in 1984 — a 274% rise over the 40-year time frame. However, if we adjust for inflation chained in 2024 dollars, the 1984 median is $60.420 and the increase drops to 39%.

Our commentary on household income distribution offers some fascinating insights into average U.S. household incomes, but misses the implications of age for income. In this update, we examine household income with a focus on age bracket.

The Census Bureau recently released its annual report on household income data for 2024. The mean (average) household income for the middle quintile rose 4.5% to $84,390. Let's take a closer look at the quintile averages, which date back to 1967, along with the statistics for the top 5%.

Last week's economic data presented a challenging picture for the U.S. economy with key inflation reports delivering conflicting signals and a timely labor market indicator added to the narrative of a softening labor market.

The U.S. labor market continued to show signs of cooling, with all major labor indicators pointing to a softening trend and a weak hiring environment. Read through the major economic news from the week of September 2nd - 5th.

The U.S. labor market continued to show signs of cooling, with all major labor indicators pointing to a softening trend and a weak hiring environment.

Last week's economic data revealed strong economic growth running up against rising prices and falling confidence.

Last week was dominated by a major event in the financial world, the Jackson Hole symposium, and the subsequent reaction from the markets. Read through the major economic news form the week of August 18th - 22nd.

In economic news other than that from Jackson Hole, the week included a new record high for margin debt and more.

Last week, the S&P 500 had a rally that took it to three straight record highs but the momentum cooled as economic data painted a complex picture. Read through the major economic news from the week of August 11th-15th.

Last week, the S&P 500 had a rally that took it to 3 straight record highs. The momentum cooled as economic data painted a complex picture.

Many advisors have come to agree that the key to navigating 2025’s uncertain market is to do so through a well-diversified portfolio.

Read through the major economic news from the week of July 28th-August 1st.

A strong GDP rebound was quickly overshadowed by a weaker-than-expected jobs report and hotter-than-anticipated inflation.

Heading into August, with over $680 billion of net inflows YTD, the ETF industry is on track to surpass the $1 trillion mark again.

Emerging markets (EM) could finally be in the throes of a comeback, and there are already signs it could be in its early stages.

Investing in commodities can be a difficult path for investors who react impulsively to market headlines and short-term price movements.

Now that we're more than halfway through 2025, let's take a look at the top 10 most-read charts so far for the year.

While April brought further welcome news on the inflation front, underlying consumer fundamentals painted a more concerning picture.

Last week featured a light economic calendar, with the Fed holding its benchmark interest rate steady for the third consecutive meeting.

Four of the nine indexes on our emerging markets watch list have posted gains through April 11, 2025. Chile's IPSA is in the top spot with a year to date gain of 11.2%. Brazil's IBOVESPA is in second with a year to date gain of 6.3% while Mexico's BMV IPC is in third with a year to date gain of 3.5%.

In the week ending March 1st, initial jobless claims were at a seasonally adjusted level of 221,000. This represents a decrease of 21,000 from the previous week's figure. The latest reading was lower than the 234,000 forecast.

Earlier this week we posted an update on the median household income for the 50 states and DC which includes annual data from 1984 to 2023. Let's now look at the actual purchasing power of those median incomes. For this adjustment, we're using the "C2ER Cost of Living Index" produced by C2ER, the Council for Community and Economic Research.

In the week ending January 4th, initial jobless claims fell to their lowest level since February 2024. Initial jobless claims were at a seasonally adjusted level of 201,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's figure. The latest reading was better than the 214,000 forecast.

With 2024 behind us, let's revisit the top 10 most-read charts of the year.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) increased slightly in November. The index rose 0.3% from the previous month to 99.7 after eight consecutive monthly declines.

As 2023 comes to an end, let’s revisit the top 10 most-read AP charts of the year.

The latest Underlying Inflation Gauge full data set for September is 2.9%, down 0.1% from last month, while the prices-only measure is 2.2%, down 0.2% from last month. Current Headline CPI is now 3.7% and Core CPI is 4.2%.