There’s been a lot of chatter in recent months about the stock market getting ahead of itself. But at the same time we shouldn’t ignore the fact that the economy is definitely getting better. And as we head into 2014 there are signs that the economy is gaining even more momentum. Here are 9 recent positive signs as we head into 2014 (via Scott Minerd of Guggenheim):
- The leading indicator index rose 0.8% in November, with eight out of 10 components up.
- Euro zone consumer confidence improved in December to -13.6, the best reading since July 2011.
- GfK consumer confidence in Germany reached 7.6 in January, the highest since August 2007.
- Personal spending was up 0.5% in November, the seventh consecutive monthly gain.
- U.K. retail sales excluding autos climbed 0.4% in November, after a 0.7% decline in October.
- University of Michigan consumer confidence was unrevised in the final December reading, remaining at a five-month high of 82.5.
- Third quarter GDP was revised higher a second time, reflecting gains in personal consumption and business investment.
- The Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Index increased slightly to 7.0 in December after falling for two months.
- The Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose to 0.6 in November, the best in one year.
Mr. Roche is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Discipline Funds.Discipline Funds is a low fee financial advisory firm with a focus on helping people be more disciplined with their finances.
He is also the author of Pragmatic Capitalism: What Every Investor Needs to Understand About Money and Finance, Understanding the Modern Monetary System and Understanding Modern Portfolio Construction.
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