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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 Disclaimer The views expressed herein are those of Asset Consulting Group (ACG).

The latest Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report for January 2026 reinforces a theme that has defined much of the past year: steady but uneven economic momentum, with services-driven inflation remaining the dominant force. Headline PCE rose 0.3% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year, while core PCE came in at 0.4% monthly and

Inflation has played a defining role in shaping the U.S. economic landscape throughout history. From the early days of the republic to the modern global economy, changes in the price level have influenced policy decisions, financial markets, and household finances. While often discussed in the context of monthly data releases,

When analyzing the job market data, assessing the health of the labor market requires looking beyond the headline job numbers. Three key factors—employment growth, hours worked, and real wage growth—together provide a clearer picture of how income and labor demand are evolving. Jobs reflect the size of the workforce, hours

Oil has long been one of the most geopolitically sensitive commodities in global markets. From the oil shocks of the 1970s to more recent supply disruptions, political developments have frequently introduced periods of heightened volatility in crude prices. However, history also shows that many of these episodes produce sharp but

Geopolitical turmoil is unsettling, but history shows that markets are often more resilient than the headlines suggest, and disciplined investors can use that to their advantage. Periods of war, political escalation, or global conflict can dominate the news cycle and trigger sharp market reactions. The uncertainty surrounding these events can

The most recent U.S. labor report shows the unemployment rate at 4.4%, reflecting a slight increase from the previous month and signaling a modest softening in the labor market. Recent data indicate the economy lost roughly 92,000 jobs in February 2026, a surprising reversal from earlier expectations of job growth.

What Happened On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran. The operation followed months of escalating tensions, including Iran’s violent crackdown on domestic protesters and failed nuclear negotiations. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was confirmed killed in the strikes. Iran retaliated with missile

The U.S. economy in 2025 demonstrated resilience in the face of policy shifts, trade disruptions, and a prolonged government shutdown. While growth varied across quarters, the overall expansion of about 2.2% for the year remained above the long term historical average. Steady consumer spending and meaningful investment in technology and