Blog

Please find the next blog in our monthly series that provides a snapshot of the markets and the state of the economy. Economic Overview Market Returns Asset Class Valuations – Rebalancing Rationale Key Risk Factors We Are Watching Disclaimers: The views expressed herein are those of Asset Consulting Group (ACG).

The nonfarm payroll (NFP) report, released monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is one of the most closely watched indicators of U.S. economic health. It measures the number of jobs added or lost across the economy, excluding farm workers, private household employees, and nonprofit workers. Since its inception in

Many investors look at the S&P 500 and assume that if the index is rising, most stocks must be doing well. In reality, that is often not the case. There have been periods in recent years when a small handful of mega cap technology companies accounted for the majority of

S&P 500 earnings season is shaping up better than expected, with results so far pointing to solid underlying momentum. As of early February 2026, roughly 64% of index constituents have reported fourth-quarter results. With more than half the season complete, blended year-over-year EPS growth is tracking around 13–13.5%, a meaningful

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the broadest measure of economic activity, representing the total value of goods and services produced within a country. Developed during the Great Depression, GDP was designed to help policymakers understand economic output and guide fiscal and monetary decisions. Over time, it has become the global

The speculation is over. President Trump has officially announced Kevin Warsh as his pick for the next Chair of the Federal Reserve, declaring on Truth Social that Warsh “will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen.” If you have been following the headlines, you know Warsh is not

Below is a brief summary of the key developments across equities, fixed income, and the broader economic backdrop as we move further into 2026. 1. Equities: Global Markets Lead as U.S. Rally Cools January brought a notable shift in market leadership. While the S&P 500 posted a modest gain of

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) measure the prices consumers pay for goods and services across the U.S. economy. Produced by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, PCE captures spending patterns across households, including items paid for on consumers’ behalf, such as healthcare. The data are released monthly and are embedded within

Monetary Policy Economic Conditions The FOMC is next scheduled to meet March 17 – 18th, 2026. Disclosures The views expressed herein are those of Asset Consulting Group (ACG). They are subject to change at any time. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other firm. This report

Potential GDP is the level of economic output an economy can sustain over the long run without generating inflationary pressure. The concept emerged in the mid-20th century as economists sought a way to distinguish between cyclical booms and true structural growth, particularly after the Great Depression and during post-World War