US economic growth in real (inflation-adjusted) terms slowed in the fourth quarter to 2.6% (seasonally adjusted annual rate), the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported in today’s report on gross domestic product (GDP). The softer increase, which was expected, marks the second quarter of deceleration, slipping from Q3’s 3.4% gain and the strong 4.2% increase during last year’s Q2.
Continue reading →

US stocks in the small-cap value bucket continue to lead the performance list for the major equity factors for year-to-date results (through Feb. 27), based on a set of exchange-traded funds. In close pursuit is the so-called liquidity factor, which is currently the second-strongest performer this year.
Continue reading →

Trump’s meeting with N. Korea’s Kim abruptly ends with no deal: Reuters
Cohen’s testimony in Congress raises potential legal risks for Trump: Bloomberg
China’s factory activity falls to 3-year low in Feb via survey data: CNBC
US factory orders inched up in Dec, just barely: CNBC
Pending home sales in US for Dec rebounded, but annual trend still negative: MW
US trade deficit increased in Dec, weighing on Q4 growth outlook: CNBC
GDPNow model sees modest 1.8% rise for today’s Q4 GDP report: Atlanta Fed