Market Cycles, Economic Indicators, and Tactical Strategies

Free CFP Exam lesson in Investment Planning. 16 min read, ~2,409 words.

Leading indicators turn before the economy: building permits, yield curve spread, initial claims, S&P 500, consumer expectations, new orders. Coincident indicators confirm the current phase: nonfarm payrolls, industrial production, personal income (ex-transfers). Lagging indicators confirm established trends: prime rate, unemployment duration, consumer credit-to-income. Inverted yield curve has preceded every U.S...

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