Make sure you have your investment plan in place sooner than later. There may be some rough waters to navigate. Inflation numbers out today could foretell some tough times as the Fed may be forced to respond.
When a record share of small businesses say now is an opportunity to expand operations I pay attention. Bloomberg reports:
Six of the 10 components that make up the small-business optimism index increased in January, producing one of the strongest readings in the 45-year history of the survey. The figures show sustained, sturdy business sentiment since the November 2016 election. A measure of plans to boost capital spending in coming months increased by 2 points to 29 percent, consistent with other data indicating robust outlays for equipment. One in five small companies said they plan to boost hiring, unchanged from the prior month, as finding qualified workers remains problematic and underscores a tight job market.
The Trump economy is rolling. The fake Obama unemployment numbers, which were inflated with part-time workers seeking full-time jobs/careers are in the rear-view mirror. I like how Andy Puzder, former CEO of CKE Restaurants explains it here:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people working full time increased by 2.4 million in 2017, compared with only 1.6 million in 2016. In other words, the overall number of jobs added was lower in 2017, but only because hundreds of thousands of people left part-time for full-time jobs.
Both 2016 and 2017 set some year-end records. In 2016, BLS recorded the highest number of people working part time at year’s end since it began recording the data in 1968. In 2017, it recorded the highest number of people working full time at year’s end since 1968 and the fewest working part-time since 2011.
Regulatory relief and tax reform are bringing more growth and better jobs. It’s a Trump Boom, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the president should “thank Obama.” Perhaps, but only for setting economic bar so low.
My RAGE Gauge signals that people aren’t necessarily taking market risks into account. Despite the inherent risks, it makes me smile to see small businesses excited and Americans working at jobs they can be proud of. Thank you Mr. Trump.
