Since 2012, Anton Bayer's Weekly UPdate has examined markets and the economy, continuing a market and economic commentary tradition that began in 2002. Each week, Anton looks past the headlines to the data shaping the discussion.
The University of Michigan released on Friday their Surveys of Consumers reports. In these reports they identify consumers’ sentiment and confidence based on surveys they conduct each month.
Anton Bayer · February 25, 2025 · 5 min read
It seems investors entered 2025 with guarded optimism. Interest rates and inflation are stable, and household finances continue to improve. The labor market continued to add more workers, slowly reducing the millions of
Anton Bayer · February 18, 2025 · 7 min read
The US economy continues to improve in many areas which would indicate continued positive momentum and continued growth. Today, our focus will be on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Turnover (JOLTS) rep
Anton Bayer · February 5, 2025 · 6 min read
After two consecutive years of robust US stock market gains, investors are nervous about stock values and meeting high growth expectations, especially in the tech sector. For reference, the major indices' two-year run ha
Anton Bayer · January 28, 2025 · 6 min read
We have mentioned in past UPdates the importance of monitoring the financial health and sentiment of US consumers. The primary reason is that American spending represents a whopping 67.9% of America’s Gross Domestic Prod
Anton Bayer · January 21, 2025 · 5 min read
The US economy has had two extraordinary consecutive years of stock market gains. What happened to the recession analysts and major media pundits warned investors in 2022? Although many sectors and indices did not match
Anton Bayer · January 15, 2025 · 6 min read
It may be just physiological, but I really enjoy January. Granted it’s just another 30-day period like any other month. But January is motivating to me because it’s the start of a new year to achieve new goals and experi
Anton Bayer · January 8, 2025 · 5 min read
For the past three years, small business owners have been struggling with economic and social issues that have limited their ability to grow. Each month the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) publishes
Anton Bayer · December 17, 2024 · 6 min read
My daughter loves to shop. In fact, her two love languages are shopping and someone is paying for it. Apparently, at least the shopping part is also a language of love for a lot of people. Adobe Analytics reported that b
Anton Bayer · December 11, 2024 · 4 min read
Late Friday afternoon on November 29, 2024, 61 of us traveled from San Antonio to Reynosa, Mexico to volunteer for Strategic Alliance to build three houses for three related families all living in small shacks.
Anton Bayer · December 4, 2024 · 8 min read