25 comments in this thread and only 2 posters have posted their original thoughts. What is going on in here?
Anyone have their own thoughts on what might happen if the fed lowers rates in 2024. I see all this talk that the fed IS going to lower rates in 2024, but that is pure speculation and not fact. You know what happens when everyone believes what MSM is feeding them?? Usually don't come true.
US economy has performed better than expected. Historically, soft landings are rare ideal situations of no recession, low inflation and low unemployment. So signs of soft landing emerging is a exceptional achievement. Especially impressive given fallout from worldwide pandemic and largest war since second world war.
@kcblitzkrieg
I gotta share something that I saw today that kind of shook me up for a moment but then I got back on with my life. It's about the "haves" and "have nots."
We went down to Fort Lauderdale today which is rare for us anymore. Too many 30 story condos/overpriced restaurants, ridiculous parking etc. We were dropping off stuff off at Habitat for Humanity (I know they do good work in the community especially with hurricane shutters) but first wanted to visit this French Bakery. Smelled great & we ended up spending $23 on a couple of baguettes, croissants, hard rolls & 2 pastries. The lady in front of us got a pound of mixed cookies for $68.50 a pound. NUTS!
We pulled into the Habitat parking lot, dropped off our stuff & got caught at a light. As we're waiting for the light to change, this homeless women with a shopping cart full of her "stuff" was crossing the street. Can you imagine/visualize that? All of her worldly goods & treasures in one shopping cart? The stuff she uses daily, stuff she's found or been given all in one shopping cart.
She doesn't care about inflation or the price of gas or all the other shit we banter about in here. She's more concerned whether she's going to eat tonight & finding a safe place to sleep. The disparity between the "haves" and "have nots" couldn't have been more stark.
She crossed the street, the light changed & life went on for all of us.
US is in far better shape than 3 years ago. In January 2021, US was suffering from deadliest month of covid pandemic which would eventually claim over a million American lives. Unemployment rate was 6.7%. Now unemployment has been under 4% for two years. Wage growth outpaced inflation in 2023. The recession widely predicted in 2023 never materialized. Instead US economy is a world leader with inflation declining faster than in other countries. Stock market is flourishing instead of Trump's prediction of a depression. US economy has been growing, hitting a stunning 5% in third quarter of 2023. Consumer confidence is strong. Overall, US is better off under Biden than it was at the end of Trump presidency.
100% Mid 
I very very rarely, if ever, would see homeless around the Naples area. Post Covid I see it almost daily. There are two different worlds going on right now and we should all be thankful for what we have.
The rich don't even notice inflation, the middle class can complain about inflation but the poor? Inflation crushes the poors.
US economic data points to 'real momentum' for 2024
The White House began the new year Tuesday by touting President Joe Biden's economic record.
The Biden administration does have a number of positive economic indicators to point to heading into 2024, including a historically strong labor market and gradually slowing inflation.
@thirdperson
With a best fit line showing positive progress every month
And crush those on fixed income. Baby boomers are getting to that stage of going on fixed income and inflation has no trace of coming back down to pre covid levels. Year after year the fed will say they're at the 2% target rate, but that's on top of the previous years of inflation so it truly will not be what it once was. MSM will say inflation is under control but YoY the numbers might be down, but most people fail to understand how YoY actually works. Hopefully everyone is making the correct life style changes to suit the higher for longer.
MSM is constantly saying FED will cut rates 3-4 times this year, possibility of giving false hope. You know what that means...no rate cuts. Giving the promise of future rate cuts is an attempt to continue slowing the economy as people think "I'll just wait for rate cuts before I make that large purchase". Will be a shocker when FED raises rates because inflation is not down. People need to realize that inflation is a hidden tax and this admin loves collecting taxes.
@BigGame90
MSM is constantly saying FED will cut rates 3-4 times this year, possibility of giving false hope. You know what that means...no rate cuts. Giving the promise of future rate cuts is an attempt to continue slowing the economy as people think "I'll just wait for rate cuts before I make that large purchase". Will be a shocker when FED raises rates because inflation is not down.
Yep, exactly BG
And Covid has nothing to do with it?
And Covid has nothing to do with it?
2023 A blockbuster year for stocks!
2024 anticipated to continue upward
Cooling inflation, fading recession fears and looming rate cuts fired up Wall Street.
US stocks ended the year with a bang as the S&P 500 rallied nine weeks to end the year – the longest win streak since 2004.
The Nasdaq spiked 43%, narrowly missing its best year in two decades. 
2024 anticipated to continue upward
Cooling inflation, fading recession fears and looming rate cuts fired up Wall Street. US stocks ended the year with a bang as the S&P 500 rallied nine weeks to end the year – the longest win streak since 2004. The Nasdaq spiked 43%, narrowly missing its best year in two decades.
It’s true the stock market is not the economy.
At times, what’s good for Wall Street is not good for Main Street, and vice versa.
But in this case,
the stock market rally largely reflected optimism about the economy, inflation and confidence in a soft landing, which is good news, for Wall Street and Main Street.
- CNN
S&P 500
Close of 2021 SPX 4766
Close of 2023 SPX 4769
Only thing that has happened in past two years in inflation rising roughly 10% in the same time frame....carry on.
It’s true the stock market is not the economy.
But in this case,
the stock market rally largely reflected optimism about the economy, inflation and confidence in a soft landing,
which is good news, for Wall Street and Main Street.
- CNN
This is true! Not too much change.
well unless it is a good trend that is rising after events from which we have no real control
well unless it is a good trend that is rising after events from which we have no real control
@KellyM_1964
That's what we're facing, no?
@KellyM_1964
That's what we're facing, no?
@Zeus4par
exactly my point ! sure we arent head and shoulders above where we were but we r makiing progress
that should b applauded
@KellyM_1964
That's what we're facing, no?
@Zeus4par
exactly my point ! sure we arent head and shoulders above where we were but we r makiing progress
that should b applauded
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