Dr Ed's Video Webcast 7/3/24

Personal consumption expenditures data for May suggest clear skies on both the inflation and income fronts: The PCED has been gliding steadily earthward and looks on course to reach the Fed’s 2.0% y/y destination for it by year-end. Consumer spending has been showing no sign of retrenchment, and consumption trends jibe with our rosy economic outlook. Moderating inflation with a robust economy argue against the Fed’s easing this year. So do stimulative fiscal policy, low unemployment, and the ramifications of cutting rates on inflation and financial markets. We’re in the small camp that would prefer not to see the federal funds rate lowered this year.