The Conference Board Leading Economic Index Increased in September
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US increased 0.5 percent in September following a 0.4 percent August increase and a 0.7 percent increase in July.
The LEI improved further in September, suggesting the US business cycle remains on a strong growth trajectory heading into 2019. However, the LEI’s growth has slowed somewhat in recent months, suggesting the economy may be facing capacity constraints and increasingly tight labor markets,” said Ataman Ozyldirim, Director and Global Research Chair at the Conference Board. “Economic growth could exceed 3.5 percent in the second half of 2018, but unless momentum in housing, orders and stock prices accelerate, that pace is unlikely to be sustained in 2019.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index Decreased in September
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) decreased to +0.17 in September from +0.27 in August. Two of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index decreased from August, but three of the four categories made positive contributions in September.
The index’s three-month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) moved down to +0.21 in September from +0.27 in August. We remain firmly in positive territory economically, according to these index readings.
US Drill Rigs Running Increased Last Week
The number of drill rigs running in the USA increased by four last week (to 1067), led by Texas, up by eight. Canadian drilling dropped by four rigs (to 191). AMM
Fifth District Survey of Manufacturing Activity Reports Moderately Expanded Activity in October
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond released its Fifth District Survey of Manufacturing Activity and reports activity expanded moderately in October. Survey respondents were optimistic, expecting to see growth across most measures in coming months.
US Raw Steel Production Eased Last Week
US raw steel production eased 0.3% last week as mills operated at an ACUR of 80%. In the corresponding week last year mills operated at an ACUR of 73.2%. Thus far this year mills have produced prox 76,000,000 tons compared to the prox 73,000,000 tons produced in the like period last year.
Defense Aircraft Orders More Than Doubled in September
Orders for defense aircraft more than doubled in September lifting overall durable goods orders 0.8%, defying expectations for a pullback. Wells Fargo
Strong Consumer Spending Powered Economic Growth in Q3 2018
Strong consumer spending powered economic growth as real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 3.5% in the third quarter of 2018, according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This exceeded estimates.
The Caravan
Here we go again; Exactly what is it that people do not understand about the term “illegal” regarding this “caravan” of some 7,000 people heading toward the US border through Mexico? What value do they bring to the USA? Any skills or means of being productive, or are they simply seeking a free ride here? I am unaware of any reason to accept them as refugees. Is there war in Guatemala? Honduras? These countries are certainly not like Syria or Afghanistan.
Fleeing Violence
Yes, there is violence in these countries, there is also violence here at home and more of our own citizens could use relief before illegals who wish to storm our borders. Between Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, the USA gives around $200 million a year in aid. Not a small sum.
Is this caravan being funded by activists on the left? Who is feeding them? Who is paying for fuel? It is just a little fishy that this is occurring right before the mid-term elections, is it not? We have laws for attaining citizenship here, you cannot just walk across the border and be assimilated into American society, taking jobs, financial aid, housing, food, medical care etc. etc. If our immigration laws are so poor, our legislators should fix those laws, not permit people to break them.
Terrorists Within
The left, on Tuesday, began to deride the president as a liar and for fomenting fear by suggesting that terrorists, ISIS and MS13 members may be part of this caravan. There is no proof either way at this point, but the possibility certainly exists, and I believe the president is correct to air that possibility to the public. If there is but 1 evil person who causes harm to an American or Americans, what will the left say then? Nothing. What will they do? Nothing.
Better safe than sorry.
Mail Bombs
This week we have heard of 14 bombs being found at George Soros’ home, at the Clinton and Obama homes, Eric Holder, Maxine Waters plus many others. This is not good, it is wrong, and I do not believe this is the work of any conservative. It is either an extreme, radical right-wing nut, which seems more likely as more and more packages are found… or it is possible (and I would not put it past them) that the left has done this to take the public eye off of the evil and nasty things they continue to do in their quest for power, their hate toward President Trump. Think about it: 14 bombs-not one went off. There is something drastically wrong with this picture. Again, as more of these bombs are found, the less likely it is to be a democrat action to sway voters.
Friday afternoon law enforcement officials made an arrest in the bomb scare, of a man in Florida. Current information lends credence to the idea that he is an extreme right-wing nutcase. I am glad he is off the streets. Two more bombs were found today.
Rhetoric Rollback
In the same vein, the Dems are calling on President Trump to roll back his rhetoric, but it’s Ok for Maxine Waters to encourage people to boycott conservatives, to get in their face, to let them know they are not welcome. It’s alright for Kathy Griffin to hold a beheaded and bloody Donald Trump head, for Madonna to say she has thought about blowing up the White House, for Eric Holder to tell people “when they go low, we kick them,” for Robert DeNiro to use the “F” word toward the President of the United States, for Johnny Depp to ask “where is John Wilkes Booth when we need him?” There are countless examples of disrespect against this president, too numerous to list. So, who needs to roll back the rhetoric?
Trump vs Media
Like him or not, President Trump speaks the truth, has he mis-quoted some numbers? Sure, what politician doesn’t? But he is not a racist, as charged, he is not a misogynist, as charged (he is a man who loves women, and beautiful women at that). Furthermore, attacking him for attacking the mainstream media? Why is there an argument? The news, for the most part, IS highly biased politically and IS mostly FAKE NEWS. What’s worse is they are so lost in their vile hatred that they fail to see what they have done and are doing to journalism. There is no Walter Cronkite in today’s world.
VOTE FOR CONTINUED PROSPERITY ON NOVEMBER 6
DO NOT BELIEVE THE POLLS, THEY ARE BIASED…
WE MUST ALL VOTE
Infrastructure X (Keystone & Dakota pipelines) Regulation Reform XX 1 in 2 out
Individual Tax Reform XX Entitlement Reform
Business Tax Reform XX Education Reform X
Healthcare Reform Veterans Administration Reform X
Rebuild our Military X Trade Reform X
Secure our Borders (The Wall) XX Lead the world from the front XX
Help for the poor XX Drain the swamp X as we speak
Peace through unmatchable strength Support Israel X
Destroy ISIS XX Extreme Vetting XX
Conservative Supreme Court nominees XX American Jobs XX
I will track these campaign promises and will check them off as each is accomplished adding those I have missed as they become apparent. This is quite an agenda and will be difficult to achieve all in one term, but I believe the American people are behind him and know these things need to be done. Now, if he can get our legislators to support him instead of fighting him….
“MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN”
Have a great weekend…. God bless America!
Buy American made products whenever you can, it’s good for you, good for your friends and neighbors and good for our country.
If you are hiring…try to hire a veteran…. they are loyal, disciplined, hardworking…and they deserve our support.
By the way, if you wish to comment on my rants or offer any other insights you may have, you are encouraged to email me.
TEDDY ROOSEVELT ON IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA…1907
In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag…We have room for but one language here and that is the English language…and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
