U.S. ECONOMY Signs that the business cycle may have reached its trough strengthened as inventories were again reduced in the second quarter at a yearly pace, estimated by JP Morgan, of $162 billion. After 10 consecutive months of decline, replacement demand alone can be expected to support manufacturing activity ahead. Just as importantly, U.S. worker…
July 25, 2009 by Fred Ruopp Fred Ruopp, a veteran investor named one of the Top Value Managers in the country, a serious Catholic, and founder of Chelsea Management, Fred Ruopp, Sr., provides a wealth of pithy insights on different economic sectors, beginning with national considerations. His insights follow: U.S. ECONOMY While U.S. economic activity has not yet…
June 4, 2009 U.S. ECONOMY Preliminary estimates of 2009 first quarter GDP suggest only a slight improvement from 2008’s fourth quarter (-6.1 vs. -6.3); however, the massive federal stimuli coming forward point to a possible leveling and then rebound in the quarters ahead. Much of the last quarter’s contraction centered on decreases in exports (-30%) and a reduction…