The October ISM Services index is back in expansion territory—coming in above 50—with six out of ten categories rising and new orders leading the charge (likely boosted by data-center demand in the commentary). Business activity jumped, employment is still in contraction but improved, and we’re not seeing shrinking headcount alongside a backlog—hinting at some labor-market equilibrium. The catch: prices paid just moved to their highest level since October 2022. That’s the inflation channel th...
We unpack October’s ADP payroll report during the record government shutdown and parse where hiring is actually happening. Large firms added jobs while small and mid-sized businesses shed workers, with most gains tied to services and AI-driven spending. • October ADP report shows 42,000 private payroll gain • Caution that one month does not set a trend • Hiring concentrated in large employers, 500 plus • Small businesses shed jobs in five of the last six months • Service-producing sectors le...
Factories are feeling the squeeze, but one surprising shift may be a quiet win for anyone watching inflation. We dig into October’s ISM manufacturing report at a time when the government shutdown has muted official data, and we pull out the signals that matter: a weaker headline driven by softness in production and inventories, a prices paid index that fell to its lowest level of the year, and export orders that show a pulse even as supply frictions re-emerge. We talk through what a drop in ...
The Federal Reserve finally cut rates but their tone shocked Wall Street. Megan Horneman breaks down what the Fed really said, why markets might be too confident about more cuts, and what this means for inflation and investors heading into year-end 2025. With the government still shut down and data in short supply, this surprise twist from the Fed could change everything. #MarketsWithMegan #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Inflation #StockMarket #Investing #Economy2025 #MarketUpdate #FedRateC...
Markets don’t pause just because official data does. With the government shutdown stretching on, we turn to the signals still flashing: ISM surveys, regional Fed reports, and futures pricing that point to a tricky mix of sticky services inflation and a softening job market. We share what we’re seeing behind the headlines, why services matter more than ever for your wallet, and how prices paid in both services and manufacturing complicate the path back to the Fed’s 2 percent target. We walk t...
When official data goes dark, the market turns to the signals still shining. We dig into the University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment reading and find a story of two Americas: current conditions ticking up after September’s rate cut, and expectations sliding to a five‑month low. That split matters. Sentiment sits at 55, future finances are viewed as the weakest since 2011, and 12‑month inflation expectations hold at 4.6%. These levels keep pressure on the Fed to proceed w...
Markets are hitting record highs — but is it the Fed’s doing? Megan Horneman breaks down what’s really driving the rally, how the ongoing government shutdown could impact data and investor sentiment, and what the latest Fed minutes hint about the path into year-end 2025. 👉 Don’t miss Megan’s take on what could make or break the next market move. For a history go to http://MarketsWithMegan.FM #MarketsWithMegan #FederalReserve #StockMarketNews #GovernmentShutdown #EconomicUpdate #FedMinutes ...
It was a strong quarter for investors — but what does the third quarter of 2025 really tell us about where markets and the economy are headed next? In this episode of Markets with Megan, Verdence Chief Investment Officer Megan Horneman breaks down the biggest stories from Q3: the impact of the government shutdown, economic data delays, and how stocks, bonds, and commodities performed. Find out what sectors led the rally, where risks may be hiding heading into Q4, and what investors s...
⚠️ Day One of the Government Shutdown is here. From furloughed workers to shaken markets, uncertainty is spreading fast. In this Markets with Megan special Impact Report, Megan Horneman breaks down what the shutdown means for families, the economy, and Wall Street. 📊 Get estimates on how long this could last, the risks to consumer confidence, and where markets may be headed if Washington gridlock continues. 👉 Stay informed with clear, transparent market insights every week. 🔗 Get all episo...
We just got a first look at the August JOLTS Jobs Report and it’s telling us a lot about where the U.S. labor market stands. Megan Horneman, CIO of Verdence Capital Advisors reviews: ✅ Why job postings and unemployment data point to a new labor market equilibrium ✅ How the decline in the quits rate shows we’re back to pre-pandemic averages ✅ What this means for wage pressures and the Federal Reserve’s outlook ✅ Why this Friday’s September jobs report will be so important (shutdown permitting...
📉📈 Consumer confidence is swinging like a pendulum. One week optimism, the next week uncertainty. In this episode of Markets with Megan, unpack the latest consumer sentiment data—what it signals for the economy, the Fed’s next move, and, most importantly, your wallet. Megan Horneman discusses what’s really driving these shifts and why Wall Street is paying close attention. Is consumer confidence telling us the economy is stronger than expected, or warning of turbulence ahead? 👉 Don’t...
📊 The equity markets cheered today’s inflation report — but should they? On this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman breaks down the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge (core PCE), the latest personal income and spending data, and why consumer behavior may not be sustainable. Inflation has now been climbing for four consecutive months, sitting at a sticky 2.9% year-over-year. Meanwhile, spending continues to outpace income, driving the savings rate to its lowest level this year. What d...
🚨 The U.S. economy just shocked Wall Street… AGAIN. Despite predictions, growth keeps beating expectations. In this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan breaks down the latest economic data, including the final Q2 GDP reading, and what it means for markets, investors, and YOU. 📊 From surprise growth to shifting forecasts, CIO Megan Horneman unpacks the real story behind the headlines helping you see where the economy might be headed next. 👉 Want more smart market insights every week? 🔗 Get ...
The housing market is waking up, but is it a real rebound or just a rate-cut reaction? In today’s Markets with Megan, Verdence CIO Megan Horneman breaks down the latest economic data, the Fed’s decision, and what it all means for buyers, sellers, and investors. 👉 Will housing finally find momentum? Or is this just temporary relief before the next slowdown? Get clear, transparent insights that cut through the noise. Subscribe wherever you enjoy podcasts. Find a history of our podcasts at htt...
The Fed Cuts Rates Again—But Does the Math Add Up? The market got the rate cut it wanted—25 basis points—but the Fed’s projections are raising eyebrows. In this episode of Markets with Megan, Verdence Capital Advisors CIO Megan Horneman unpacks the details behind the Federal Reserve’s decision and why the dot plot might not tell the whole story. What’s behind the contradiction of stronger GDP, lower unemployment, higher inflation, and more rate cuts? Megan explains how the bond market is re...
🚨 The latest Retail Sales Report is out — and it’s telling us a LOT about the state of the consumer, inflation, and the economy. In this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman breaks down: 💳 Are U.S. consumers finally feeling the pinch? 📉 What weaker (or stronger) retail sales mean for economic growth 💡 How this data impacts the Fed’s rate cut decision 📊 Why Wall Street reacts so strongly to spending trends 🛍️ What it all means for markets and your money If you want to stay ahead of ...
🚨 The final inflation report is here before next week’s big Fed meeting! 🚨 In today’s Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman breaks down the August Consumer Price Index (CPI), the earlier Producer Price Index (PPI), and what both mean for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates. 📊 Key topics in this episode: - CPI headline vs. core inflation 📉 - How energy & food costs shaped the data 🛢️🍔 - Why the PPI surprised to the upside 📦 - Market reaction: stocks, bonds, and commodi...
The Producer Price Index (PPI) is out — and it’s sending a big signal about inflation, the Fed, and the future of markets. In this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman breaks down: ✅ What the latest PPI numbers tell us about producer-level inflation 📊 ✅ Why this matters for consumer prices, wages, and supply chains 💵 ✅ How the Federal Reserve could react in upcoming meetings 🏦 ✅ The ripple effects on stocks, bonds, and the economy 📉 If you’re watching inflation trends and Fed polic...
🚨 The annual payroll revision is out and it’s rewriting the story on U.S. job growth. Are payrolls as strong as we thought, or is the labor market showing cracks beneath the surface? In this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman breaks down: ✅ What the payroll revision reveals about the economy 📉 ✅ Why earlier job growth may have been overstated 🏦 ✅ How markets and the Fed could react to the new data ⚡ ✅ What this means for recession risks, rate cuts, and your portfolio 💼 Don’t just...
The latest U.S. employment report is shaking up Wall Street and could be the catalyst for long-awaited Fed rate cuts. 📉 In this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman breaks down the key numbers, market reaction, and what it all means for interest rates, inflation, and investors going forward. 👉 Are rate cuts finally on the table? 👉 What does the jobs data say about the labor market’s strength? 👉 How should investors position as the Fed debates its next move? Stay ahead of the market...