First Quarter GDP Release

Bouchey Financial Group

The initial release of economic activity for the first quarter came out today slightly below consensus estimates, as the U.S. economy expanded at the lowest pace in three years.  U.S. GDP rose 0.7% for the quarter versus an expectation of 1% growth, down from 2.1% growth in the Fourth Quarter 2016.  Consumer spending grew only…

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March Jobs Report

Bouchey Financial Group

The labor market took a pause in March, where weather may have played a factor.  Economists expected an increase of 175,000 jobs, while the Department of Labor reported an increase of only 98,000 jobs. Hiring in the construction sector was down significantly, which may have been impacted by the Labor Department survey coming out the…

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Rising Interest Rates

Bouchey Financial Group

Last week the Federal Reserve voted to raise their benchmark rate by 0.25%, moving from .5% to 0.75%. This was third rate hike in a little more than a year, and the second since December 2016. The last time the Fed raised rates at consecutive quarterly meetings was back in 2006, when they increased rates…

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Can the “Trump Rally” Continue?

Bouchey Financial Group

Written by: Steven Bouchey Before we talk about whether or not President Trump can take credit for this rally, let’s look back at some of the lowest, deepest and darkest days for investors. As I write this we’re celebrating the eight-year anniversary of the end of the “Great Recession” and the beginning this bull market…

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February Jobs Report

Bouchey Financial Group

The labor market picked up in the first full month of the new administration.  Economists expected an increase of 197,000 jobs for the month, while the Department of Labor reported an increase of 235,000 jobs.  Gains were seen across most categories, with retail suffering the only decline for the month.  The construction sector experienced a…

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2017 State of the Economy Presentation

Bouchey Financial Group

Bouchey Financial Group was honored to host close to 250 clients over two nights for our annual State of the Economy presentation. This years emphasis was on the lessons we learned as investors in 2016, as well as the “Year of Transition” heading into 2017. With the new Trump administration taking over and the markets…

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