Primary Sources
- Summary of Economic Projections: In conjunction with the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting held on March 19–20, 2024, meeting participants submitted their projections of the most likely outcomes for real gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the unemployment rate, and inflation for each year from 2024 to 2026 and over the longer run. [FRB]
- Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement: Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained strong, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation has eased over the past year but remains elevated. [FRB]
- The Fed – Monetary Policy: Beige Book: Economic activity increased slightly, on balance, since early January, with eight Districts reporting slight to modest growth in activity, three others reporting no change, and one District noting a slight softening. Consumer spending, particularly on retail goods, inched down in recent weeks. [FRB]
News
Financial Markets
- It Isn’t Just Big Tech Propelling Gains in the Stock Market Anymore: A broader group of companies has fueled the recent climb to records. [WSJ]
Financial Planning
- Longer-Living Women Will Reap Windfalls in the $80 Trillion Great Wealth Transfer. The ‘Feminization of Wealth’ is Poised to Reshape Society: The Great Wealth Transfer that is expected to occur over the next two decades will see more than $80 trillion changing hands between generations in the U.S. alone, according to some estimates. [Fortune]
- One Big Reason Gen Z Is Still on Facebook: To Save Money: For many 20-somethings who don’t have a lot of disposable income, Marketplace is a place to get deals on items they wouldn’t normally be able to afford. [NYT]
- The Bombshell Case That Will Transform the Housing Market: After several lawsuits brought by home sellers, the rules around buying and selling properties are about to change. [NYT]
The average national commission rates have seen a steady decline, dropping from just over 6.00% in 1991 to approximately 5.00% in 2021.
Retirement Planning
- More Americans Are Treating Their 401(k)s Like Cash Machines: Automatic enrollment has swept more workers into 401(k) accounts, giving them some savings to draw on in emergencies. [WSJ]
- How Higher Income Can Affect Medicare Premiums: Medicare premiums can jump sharply if your retirement income rises above certain levels, but there are steps you can take to prepare and minimize the impact. [Schwab]
Tax Planning
- Understanding Taxation of Foreign Investments: For many of today’s investors, diversification goes beyond owning companies in a variety of industries—it means adding securities from different parts of the globe, too. [Investopedia]
In 2024, there has been a decline in the volume of tax refunds that have been processed when compared to preceding years
Business Strategy
- Watching Sports Is a Mess. Can a New Streaming Service Fix That: Sports fans weigh merits of future streaming alliance between Fox, Warner Bros. and ESPN. ‘Since I cut the cord, I’ve been waiting for this.’ [WSJ]
- Hilton Bets on College Towns With $210 Million Deal: Lodging giant is acquiring Graduate Hotels, a brand with properties near dozens of college campuses. [WSJ]
- Women Aren’t Getting the Big Jobs at Goldman Sachs, and They’re Heading for the Exits: The Wall Street giant pledged to bring more women into senior ranks. Instead, top talent says better opportunities are elsewhere. [WSJ]
Life & Work
- From Hollywood to ‘Y’allywood’: Atlanta Is the Next Big Destination for Celebrity Home Buyers: The city’s metro area is fast becoming a mecca for the film and TV industries, thanks to state tax credits and production incentives. [WSJ]
- Everybody Was Under Suspicion’: The Day Selection Sunday Was Scooped: Heading into the 35th edition of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Selection Show on March 13, 2016, CBS and the former Turner Sports were brimming with confidence. [Front Office Sports]
- Chicago Bears Plan New Stadium South of Soldier Field: The Bears are shifting their focus to remain in the city of Chicago with plans to build a new stadium south of Soldier Field, a source familiar with the team’s plan told ESPN. [ESPN]
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