UPDATE AUGUST 4, 2025 – After the Job Report, the market adjusted the Fed Funds Rate to 4.0%-4.2%. This is getting the Fed set up to lower the rate 25bp in September. But, that is over 7 weeks away. The market can change its mind in the interim.

JULY 30, 2025 – You can go back to my July 1st post that says the following:
“1st Quarter GDP was adjusted to -0.5%. 2nd Quarter GDP should come in around 3% (2.5%-4.0% seems to be the consensus). The average for the first half of the year should be around 1.3%.”
2nd Quarter GDP came in at exactly 3.0%. I’ll take that, albeit just a lucky guess on my part. The consensus ended up being +2.3%.
The Tariff Mongers now have to start screaming about the rest of the year being doomsday. A stopped clock is right twice a day. Which is two more times than the Tariff Mongers will be:)
As noted, in my Fed Funds Rate posts, the Fed did as the market told them to do – no change in the rate. The Fed following the market 100% of the time continues.
It will be interesting to see if Powell’s successor lowers rates when the market is saying not to. That would be unprecedented and I think it will cause major market turmoil. We will revisit this when we get to that bridge.
My ad nauseum reminder to you is what actually predicted the above two items? The market. Not The Mann. I simply interpret what the market is saying. Six months in advance the stock market said the economy would have a hiccup in the 1st Quarter followed by strength in the 2nd Quarter. It is saying the same for the 3rd and 4th Quarters. So, any weakness in the 3rd Quarter (early estimates are above +2%) will let the Tariff Mongers say they are right. The 4th Quarter will show they were never right.
Remember, ignore all the pundits. Simply watch what the market is forecasting 6 months in advance. It is that easy. And it is free information:)
Shalom,
The Mann