Reports on Fifth District manufacturing activity were largely unchanged in August, according to the latest survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The composite index remained at 14 in August, with an increase in the employment index offsetting a decrease in the shipments index and a very slight decline in the new orders metric. Although the employment index rose from 10 to 17 in August, other measures of labor market activity — wages and average workweek — were largely unchanged. Investing.com had forecast 12. Because of the highly volatile nature of this index, we include a 3-month moving average to facilitate the identification of trends, now at 13.0, indicates expansion. Seasonal adjustment factors were recalculated to better reflect current economic trends and the entire series was revised.

Once again, the expected quiet summer week was instead filled with action. With analysts of all stripes analyzing every aspect of the changes in the Trump Administration, the financial punditry will do the same.

In this month’s Global Economic Perspective, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group takes a look at recent US economic data, and increased skepticism among many market participants about whether the Federal Reserve will implement another increase in interest rates before the end of the year.

While the Sunday morning talk shows discuss the number of Civil War monuments that can dance on the head of a pin...and a rare Eclipse grabs focus...investors might be shocked at how the economy has accelerated.

The changing demographics of the municipal bond market in recent years, coupled with their reliable tax-free-income stream, has made munis a compelling core allocation for today’s fixed-income investors.

The exodus of CEO support following President Trump’s response to Charlottesville shook the foundations, but the stock market outlook has remained constructive. Every administration has its share of difficulties early on, many self-inflicted, before settling down.

I work for a very large firm that is undergoing significant cost-cutting measures. This is corporate-speak for lots of my colleagues being laid off. I’m worried and depressed much of the time thinking about the potential of losing my job.

The difficulty advisors face when trying to persuade clients to abandon their long-trusted way of investing is rooted in a well-known psychological bias. Understanding this bias is the key to gaining more assets.

When planning for retirement it’s important to keep in mind that your longevity may exceed your statistical life expectancy, say industry pros.

The development of a personal trading or investing philosophy is usually an evolutionary and highly personal process. Through a combination of experience, trial-and-error, and the attainment of knowledge, successful market participants hone their skills until they find a strategy that works for them and that is consistent with their general mindset.