Author: 1st Discount Brokerage

Market observers are sure to keep a close eye on the economy at large, specifically the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, rightfully so. History has shown that economic growth, corporate profitability, and stock prices have paralleled rather nicely from an investors standpoint since the end of WWII, as illustrated in the following chart. In

Is it better to be an employee of a company, or is working for yourself the way to go? I think the answer depends on an individual’s preferences, inclinations, stress threshold, know-how, and capital resources. That said, according to the Fed’s Survey of Consumer Finances, it is the self-employed that earn the most money with

#PositiveNews Personal income set an all-time high in May eclipsing the $17 trillion threshold, as reported by the BEA. Last month, personal incomes increased 0.4%, the 11th consecutive rise. Wages, representing the largest source of all personal income, grew 0.3%. Dividend and rental income saw the biggest percentage gains rising by 1.53% and .49% respectively.

Much has changed since the financial crises ended in June 2009. The table below juxtaposes ten important economic indicators. Each gauge brings its insights; collectively the list provides a snapshot of the overall economy. A significant gap exists between those who embrace the prospects of today’s economy and those that see dire straights. As American