In this back-to-school update, Sam McGee covers the current state of the U.S. economy and financial markets as of August 2025. He discusses the relationship between the economy and markets, recent trends in unemployment, inflation, real estate, and interest rates, and provides insights into what may be ahead for investors. The episode also touches on the Federal Reserve’s actions, market volatility, and the importance of diversification in financial planning. If you’re looking to catch up on economic news and market trends as the school year begins, this episode is for you! 00:00 – Introduction & Disclaimer 00:34 – Back to School: Timing and Parental Routines 01:02 – Economy vs. Financial Markets: Key Differences 01:29 – What is the Economy? (Lagging Indicator) 02:03 – Financial Markets as Leading Indicators 02:28 – Market Volatility and Irrationality in 2025 03:00 – S&P 500 Performance: Downturn and Rebound 03:28 – State of the Economy: Key Bullet Points 03:49 – U.S. Unemployment Data (July 2025) 04:09 – Comparing Unemployment: 2020 vs. 2025 04:36 – Government Stimulus and Unemployment Trends 05:07 – Current Unemployment Rate and Historical Context 05:28 – U.S. Consumer Price Index & Inflation Trends 05:50 – Fed Rate Hikes and Impact on Inflation 06:30 – CPI Drop and Current Inflation Rate 06:51 – Real Estate Market Overview 07:13 – Case Shiller Home Price Index Trends 07:25 – Home Prices, Interest Rates, and Inventory 07:44 – Effects of High Prices and Low Inventory 08:17 – Seller Behavior and Market Adjustments 08:37 – Mortgage Rates and Buyer/Seller Dynamics 08:51 – U.S. Company Earnings and Economic Resilience 09:27 – Fed Rate Cut Expectations and Inflation 09:55 – Inflation Uptick and Fed’s Dilemma 10:53 – The Fed’s Balancing Act: Inflation vs. Economy 11:12 – Rate Cut Predictions and Market Expectations 11:34 – Financial Markets: Year-to-Date Performance 12:01 – S&P 500 and ETF Performance 12:36 – Growth vs. Value: Russell 1000 Indices 13:03 – Market Resilience Amid Geopolitical Risks 13:29 – Recap: Economic and Market Update 13:54 – Crestmont Private Wealth’s Approach & Contact Info 14:22 – Outro and Closing Remarks Original Air Date: August 9, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com  Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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