February 2025 Newsletter
AssetMark’s current overview
January is the month for financial forecasts, anticipating what’s ahead. The consensus is optimistic based on the data to date. Equity markets are positioned positively and for further upside.
Reasons for optimism: Inflation of goods have cooled. The consumer spending appears to be more moderate with inflation showing at 2.3 or 2.4%, spitting distance to the Fed’s 2% target. Job market proved solid in 2024 but slowing. Economists are bullish on strong earnings growth and trending higher for technology.
Reasons for caution: Inflation for services continue (Insurances are monitored by state regulators who have approved increases as needed for business strength.) Inflation prospects due to policy changes around foreign trade and immigration are concerning and lift bond rates/stress bond markets. Housing is still out of whack with mortgages rates rising. There is uncertainty of future Federal Reserve cuts.
More Details? ‘Mark to Markets: 2025 Headwinds and Tailwinds webinar (51 minutes).
- 2024 Market Review: Which top themes drove 2024 markets?
- The Economy: Will a Trump presidency usher in sweeping tariffs, deregulations, and other key policy changes? What impact might that have on the economy, inflation, and interest rates?
- 2025 Market Outlook: We’ll discuss potential market dynamics likely to impact the bond and equity markets in the coming year.
Webinar link -
https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/viewer/event.jsp?ei=1703681&tp_key=533410ee50
A Sputnik moment?? A cheaper, competitive AI model from DeepSeek, Chinese artificial intelligence company, sparked a sell-off of the S&P 500 as it challenged one of the key drivers of the bull market, earning estimates moving higher. DeepSeek claims their technology uses cheaper chips and less data. The thrill of AI possibilities is slowing as practical use takes time to integrate into systems. More companies are creating chips with different capabilities. The real power is in the software! The competition heats up!
How Four Kids Became President
All four presidents profiled grew up and lived in very different worlds—Lincoln was poor and self-educated; Theodore Roosevelt hailed from an elegant home in the heart of New York City; Franklin Roosevelt loved the outdoors surrounding his family’s rural estate; and Lyndon Johnson’s modest childhood home had no electricity or running water. So how did each of them do it—rise to become President of the United States? What did these four kids have individually—and have in common—that catapulted them to lead America through some of its most turbulent times?
This book is a pleasure for adults and their young adult readers alike. This reading experience is a thoughtful base for discussions on leadership, history, government.
Reading and the Covid Generation
Swedish Teachers’ Union warns: Our students can’t read Published 16 November 2024
Reading and writing skills among Swedish pupils have fallen to critical levels, according to new alerts. The teachers’ union is now calling on the government to act quickly and strengthen efforts in schools.
According to the PISA results published last year, 24% of Sweden’s 15-year-olds lack the reading and writing skills required for their age. This represents a decrease of 11 percentage points compared to 2000.
At the same time, several university lecturers at top courses in Skåne have raised the alarm that a large proportion of students have difficulty reading books.
Teachers revert to traditional methods, prioritising books and handwriting over tech.
https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-teachers-union-warns-our-students-cant-read/
Likewise, American students score at the lowest levels since testing began 30 yrs ago. It’s a stressful digital age! What’s our reading strategy?
If a machine can do it, it will.
Look out Starbuck!
This Denver Airport machine offers a variety of lattes, cappuccinos, and charges accordingly. Order your specifics. Tap your credit card. Grab and go when the cup window opens.