Lopez • Marotz • Wright • Durham • Madden

11/02/2026

Recent News On GDP And The Fed
Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist, First Trust Advisors LP

In spite of all the angst, the economy keeps growing, with real GDP growth clocking in at a 3.4% annual rate for the third quarter, led by strong consumption and business investment, with much of both powered by the expansion of AI and data centers. In addition, it looks like the economic...read more:

10/26/2026

Solid Real GDP Growth in Q3
Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist, First Trust Portfolios

We estimate the US economy grew at a 3.3% annual rate in the third quarter. Solid. Robust even, considering that net immigration is near zero and possibly negative, while Baby Boomers continue to gradually drift into retirement.

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10/20/2026

SEU Employees ....come see Daniel Durham Chan Pong, CFP® and John Madden, at the Southeastern University Benefits Fair today. She and John are helping faculty and staff optimize their 403(b) retirement plans! Stop by the booth to get expert personalized advice and make the most of your future savings.

10/19/2026

Friedman Vs. Woodford
Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist, First Trust Portfolios

Milton Freidman taught us all about monetary policy…but for some reason academics and the Federal Reserve have decided to ignore him.

There appear to be two reasons for this. First, he was a “classical liberal.” What today we would call a conservative. He believed in small government and freedom. Clearly...read more:

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10/13/2026

We Need an Independent Fed
Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist, First Trust Portfolios

Sound and stable money promotes long-term economic growth. And “independent” central banks are more likely to deliver it. For most of the 1800s, the US was on the gold standard, which meant policy was insulated from political interference. But once the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, it became susceptible to political pressures. Read more here:

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10/08/2026

Fred’s Garage Is Back: Some Things Are Worth the Wait

Fred’s Garage is back! After a little time away—and a few different cars along the way—Fred returns to the garage with an update on life, the growing Allen & Company team, and the Porsche that finally feels like the right fit. He also shares a lesson that applies well beyond the garage: worthwhile goals often take time, patience and a willingness to wait.

Fred’s Garage is back! After a little time away—and a few different cars along the way—Fred returns to the garage with an update on life, the growing

10/08/2026

Rate Hike Likely Deferred To December
By Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist, First Trust Portfolios

Only one month ago the big story about the US economy was how strong it was. The August jobs report, which arrived in early September, showed that payrolls were up 162,000 for the month. Meanwhile, at one point the Atlanta Fed’s “GDP Now” model was estimating real GDP would grow more than 5% at an annual rate in the third...

09/28/2026

National Debt A Growing Threat
Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist, First Trust Portfolios

There is more than one reason the 10-year Treasury yield is 5.23% today. Most importantly, the Fed has stopped anchoring
interest rates at artificially low levels. Fear of inflation is likely another. However, both of those are related to the massive government debt the US has created.

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09/25/2026

09/22/2026

Want Fed Independence? Cut Government
By Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist
First Trust Portfolios

It wasn’t that long ago that Kevin Warsh’s leading critics were saying his biggest problem was that he wasn’t “independent” from President Trump, that if Trump told him to “jump” he’d ask “how high?” Or, in this particular situation, “how low should interest rates go?”....... READ MORE: