Gimmie Growth

June’s trade deficit swelled 18.8% to $49.9 billion, the highest since 10/08 and much worse than economists (what do they know) predicted. If annualized, the June deficit would be almost $600 billion. That data along with recent inventory data suggest Q2 growth will very sluggish; 1.5%-1.7%. While certainly not recession territory, we have an economy…

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Consumer Sediment

The good: University of Michigan consumer sentiment index (a nat’l index) improved more than forecast in May. It’s at 72.4 up from 69.8 in April. The Bad: Economist had predicted 70. The Ugly: This reading is below the avg of 73.9 that we see in RECESSIONS and light years away from the 90 avg during…

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