A mixed bag on the economy — and a BIG question for you
August 5, 2025
Blog | Estate Planning | Financial Growth | Life & Planning | Retirement
The past week packed plenty of headlines: Job numbers missed, markets swung, and new tariffs made waves. Here are the five areas I’m watching:
- Markets Rebound: After sharp declines at the end of last week, global stocks rose as the prospect of a Fed rate cut brought some relief to investors. U.S. stock futures were up 0.5-0.6% in pre-market trading, hinting at a partial recovery from Friday’s drop, when the S&P 500 slid 1.6% and the Nasdaq fell 2.2%.1,2
- Job Growth Slows: July’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls fell short of expectations, with the three-month average of job growth dropping to 35,000 — a notable slowdown compared to earlier this year.3
- Unemployment Rises: The U.S. unemployment rate has ticked up to 4.2%4, prompting more discussion around Federal Reserve action. (See #5.)
- New Tariffs Announced: Recent tariff announcements from the White House, ranging from 10% to 41%, have reignited global trade fears and volatility in both equities and currency markets.2
- Fed in the Spotlight: With the chance of a rate cut at the September meeting now at 85%, the Federal Reserve is under pressure to support the economy.5
What This Mixed Bag of News Means for Your Financial Future
With inflation still running high, markets reacting to every headline, and uncertainty around interest rates, it’s natural to feel unsettled about your financial future. The question is: Do you feel prepared to navigate this kind of volatility on your own?
Without a clear plan, market swings and economic shifts can erode your savings and put your long-term goals at risk. That’s why having a proactive strategy is important. Here’s what our team helps our clients focus on:
- Diversifying across asset classes to help reduce the impact of market dips
- Preserving against inflation to help preserve purchasing power
- Monitoring interest rate changes to keep investments optimized
- Identifying opportunities in uncertain markets to keep growing wealth
- Integrating tax planning to capitalize on current tax opportunities
If you’re not confident that your current approach is built to handle today’s challenges, it’s time to take action. Please don’t let uncertainty derail your financial future.
Contact our office, to learn about ways we can help you feel more prepared, no matter what the markets do.
Warmly,
Barry
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“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.
If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
– Dale Carnegie
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