Earnings Reports Support Positive Forecasts
Goldman Sachs put out some market views this week that express continued upside to US and global markets over the next 12 months. They forecast a 5.4% rise for the S&P 500, a 2.3% rise for the European STOXX index, and an 8.2% rise for the MSCI Emerging Markets index. Volatility is in our future, but they believe that equities can continue to look past the present situation and focus on growth.
Source: Goldman Sachs Market Pulse
April Jobs Report Due Out May 8
The April Jobs report is due out this Friday. The markets expect 49,000 jobs will be added, with unemployment coming in unchanged at 4.3%. The March jobs report came in well above expectations due to strikes and weather rebounds. The April forecast of 49,000 jobs is well below the 12-month average job growth. Economists point to the oil shock and lingering tariff uncertainty.
Source: Gotrade, New York Times
Where The Jobs Are
ADP ranked 53 metro areas based on hiring momentum for young college grads, wages, and affordability. Birmingham, AL, ranked first with strong job growth and a 16% jump in median annual wages. Tampa–St. Petersburg, FL, followed due to hiring growth, while the greater San Jose area in California rose to third, thanks to local tech companies hiring at high salaries.
Source: ADP
Who Is Using AI?
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta released a study in February that revealed that 78% of US firms are using AI and are set to grow. In a follow-up survey done in March, they found that per-employee spending is set to rise by 50% in 2026. It makes sense that the business and professional services sector is at the top of the list with expectations of a 74% increase. Overall, the study suggests that private firms will spend an estimated $280 billion on AI in 2026.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
3.4 Ounce Shoe
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, at 97 grams (about 3.4 ounces), is the lightest shoe ever approved for marathon competition. In the London Marathon last week, the top two men’s finishers wore the shoes and were the first two people to break the 2-hour mark. The women’s champion also wore them. The shoe’s $500 sticker price didn’t stop a near-instant sellout for a limited release on the day after the marathon (spotted for $1,800 on eBay).
Source: Wall Street Journal
How Big Is Your Power Bank?
Back in March, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said that power banks (lithium batteries for portable device charging) are limited to two per passenger and cannot be recharged during flights. Most major airlines are now barring overhead-bin storage and barring them from being used to recharge devices. Power banks under 100 watt-hours (Wh) are generally permitted onboard. Those with 100 to 160 Wh require approval. Above 160 Wh is prohibited.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Lost Before Lindbergh
On this day, May 8, 1927, French aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli took off from Paris in their biplane, attempting the first non-stop transatlantic flight. Their disappearance remains a mystery — Charles Lindbergh succeeded just two weeks later.
