This monthly communication, “Financial Bullet Points,” will quickly and easily cover the main financial issues we see affecting the markets without being bogged down with a lot of details.
Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter; Prepared on August 23rd, 2024
The Bullet Points for September are:
-
- The Job Markets: The government recently reported the U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs from April 2023 through March of this year than were originally reported. The revised total shows that the job market has been steadily slowing and likely reinforces the Federal Reserve’s plan to start cutting interest rates soon.
- Market expectations of interest rates: The markets are bullish that the Fed will start to cut interest rates in September and likely continue to cut rates through the end of the year and into 2025. This should be a welcome sign for residential and commercial real estate.
- Elections and Markets: With the 2024 US presidential election experiencing so much attention recently, investors may wonder what impact so much uncertainty might have on markets. Although popular myths sometimes suggest that one party or the other is “better” for market returns, the historical data proves otherwise. Markets are nonpartisan, so it’s important not to base your investment strategy on the outcome of elections.
- New Updated Portfolio Models: On August 6th, we updated all investment models, Ultra Conservative, Conservative, Moderate, Growth, and Aggressive Growth, for the expected, upcoming declining interest rate environment. All cash sitting on the sidelines was deployed.
- Continuing Education and Scriptures. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are listed below along with our Scriptures for the month:
- Ep 208 – 9/10/24 – Don’t Make These Financial Mistakes
- Ep 209 – 9/24/24 – Retiring with a Biblical Perspective
- Proverbs 21:20 – The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
- Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Remember, we moved to releasing episodes every other week to give people more time between episodes to listen or watch. To tune in, search “Christian Financial Perspectives” on almost any podcast platform or YouTube.
Visit our channel: www.cfa.lc/yt
Until next time, have a wonderful September and hopefully a much cooler month than August!
If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.
Bob Barber, Founder, President, & Senior Wealth Advisor
Shawn Peters, VP & Wealth Advisor
Matthew Barrovecchio, Senior Wealth Advisor
Christian Financial Advisors®