As the US economy heads into the final months of a tumultuous year, all eyes are on American consumers. Can they continue to power through despite weaker job growth and slower wage increases? Or will they tighten the purse strings amid rising tariffs and higher inflation?
Healthy earnings for several companies in the S&P 500 Index suggest the economy remains resilient. But there are signs that shoppers are being more selective about their purchases, and that many companies will not be able to absorb tariff-related price hikes much longer.
Second-quarter results shed light on how consumers are behaving and what they are buying. “It’s a dizzying mosaic of news, but corporate earnings can provide real-world insights into the progress of long-term investment themes,” says Hilda Applbaum, an equity portfolio manager.
Below are three themes that warrant a closer look.
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