Economic Uncertainty Looms Over 2024 Presidential Election
As we gear up for 2024 - a big election year - it's hard not to think of James Carville's famous line from 1992, "It's the economy, stupid." Despite all the talk about Bidenomics, most feel like their wallets were happier during the previous administration… and many are crossing their fingers for a possible second Trump term.
About those money experts on TV – they're all smiles, but we can't help but wonder if they're wearing rose-colored glasses. The numbers are a mixed bag. In November 2023, the Consumer Price Index hit 3.1%, a smidge above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Core inflation, excluding food and fuel, is sticking around at 4%.
But let's do a little time travel to 2021 – prices are up by more than 10% since November 2022. All this inflation is taking a toll, leading to jaw-dropping credit card debt – over a trillion bucks! People aren't swiping cards for fancy stuff either; it's rent, utilities, and groceries, and they're stuck with sky-high interest rates.
Getting a loan these days? Tough luck. Rejections are on the rise, and folks are tapping into their 401Ks in emergency mode. "Buy now, pay later" schemes are gaining steam too. Home prices are sky-high. Cars are getting repossessed too, thanks to those COVID-19 relief splurges. Oh, and student loan repayments made a comeback in October.
All this financial stress has taken a toll on consumer confidence – it's heading south, as seen in the University of Michigan's sentiment index.
Looking into the crystal ball, 2024 could be a bumpy ride. Expect holiday bills to put a damper on spending, oil prices creeping up, trade hiccups, potential shortages, and a milder recession in the mix. Keep your eyes on the presidential election – it's all about "the economy, stupid" this year.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO THE TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS INDUSTRY?
Economic conditions have a direct say in how we open our wallets, which then ripples down to the demand for transportation and logistics services. When those inflation numbers start climbing, brace yourself for higher bills in the trucking business – think fuel, labor, and all those must-haves.
And, let's talk credit – it's a lifeline for most companies in the industry. When credit gets tight, it can often hit the brakes on your plans. Equipment purchases and keeping the gears turning often rely on it.
Additionally, when consumers are feeling less optimistic about their wallets, they tighten the purse strings, and that means less demand for goods and hauling services.
The upcoming presidential election is a wild card. Whatever economic policies come with it could be game-changers for our industry.
OUR HOT TAKE?
Keeping an eye on how the American public is feeling about their wallets is a must. If they're pinching pennies, you've got to adjust your game plan. Supply chain hiccups? Think of them as detours – you've got to know how to navigate them to keep your deliveries on track.
Get a grip on the economic flavor, and you'll be ready to switch lanes when the road ahead gets twisty.
This shift comes as fast food joints across California, like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Pizza Hut, have bumped their prices by about 10% since last September.
Across the United States, municipal governments are tightening their belts as the financial support from the pandemic era fades and inflation persists.
In 2023, the average monthly electricity bill for U.S. homes nudged up by 2% to $138, which was actually less dramatic compared to the overall inflation rate of 4.1%.
Following California's new $20-an-hour minimum wage law that kicked in on April 1, fast food joints across the state have bumped up their menu prices.
In recent years, Americans have adjusted their retirement savings targets significantly.
In April, U.S. consumer sentiment took a sharper downturn than expected, hitting 77.9 from March's 79.4, reflecting growing concerns over inflation which continues to influence the economic outlook.
In California, a significant new law has just kicked in, raising the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 an hour.
In the not-so-distant future, your ideal burger munching time might not align with your growling stomach.
In February, inflation spiked more than expected due to higher gas prices, yet slowed in other areas like food and housing, offering a silver lining.
Gold prices soared to a new record high on Friday, driven by reports of a rise in the U.S. unemployment rate.
A recent viral social media post sparked a lively discussion about the prices at Five Guys, a popular burger chain in America.
It's no secret that many Americans are grappling with credit card debt, with a Bankrate survey revealing that one in three adults had more credit card debt than savings in both 2023 and 2024.
In 2021 and 2022, as inflation surged, the Federal Reserve was criticized for delaying interest rate hikes, allowing prices to soar. Now, with inflation easing, there's concern the Fed might move too slowly to cut rates, risking a recession, some economists argue.
In January, the U.S. economy added a surprising 353,000 jobs, surpassing economists' predictions of 177,000.
Hidden inflationary costs are squeezing corporate profits, and it's not just the usual suspects like input and freight costs.
During the holiday season, online spending hit a record high, increasing by 4.9% year over year, totaling $222.1 billion, according to Adobe Analytics.
Developers of the proposed offshore wind farm near Long Beach, Long Island, announced the termination of the Empire Wind 2 project due to economic challenges - including inflation, increased interest rates, and supply chain disruptions.
As we gear up for 2024 - a big election year - it's hard not to think of James Carville's famous line from 1992, "It's the economy, stupid."
Economist Harry Dent is making a dire prediction for the markets in 2024, citing overvalued markets and excessive stimulus spending as causes for concern.
The Federal Reserve's announcement of a pause in benchmark interest rates and a forecast of rate cuts next year led to a surge in stock indexes to one-year highs.
Gas prices in the United States are dropping, with the national average at $3.137 per gallon, down 9 cents from the previous week and the lowest of the year.
Hasbro, known for Monopoly and Play-Doh, is cutting 1,100 jobs, approximately 20% of its workforce, due to disappointing sales ahead of the holiday season.
In October, job openings in the United States decreased significantly to 8.7 million, marking the lowest level since March 2021, according to the Labor Department.
The Economist Intelligence Unit's Worldwide Cost of Living 2023 report reveals that New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are among the top 10 most expensive cities to live in.
In October, signed contracts to buy previously owned homes in the U.S. plummeted to a record low due to surging mortgage rates, with the National Association of Realtors reporting a 1.5% decline in its pending home sales index, the lowest since its inception in 2001.
The White House plans to use the Defense Production Act, a cold-war era law, to address supply chain issues contributing to inflation.
Americans' confidence in the US economy has declined, with the preliminary reading on consumer sentiment for November hitting its lowest level since May at 60.4, below economists' expectations of 63.7.
Holiday shoppers are expected to increase their spending this year, but their focus on value and deals is likely to limit growth to pre-pandemic levels, says the National Retail Federation (NRF).
California's reputation for high living costs is well-known, but a recent report from Forbes Advisor highlights other areas across the United States that can put a strain on your wallet.