Inflation continues to ease, and the U.S. economy appears strong. Through fourth quarter 2023, GDP growth persisted for 6 quarters straight, and, though slowing a bit, growth is expected to be above 2% for the first quarter of 2024 as well. Fears of an impending recession due to the Federal Reserve’s slew of rate hikes to fight inflation have been mostly quelled. Though still historically low, the unemployment rate has increased and is at its highest in two years. Consumer spending is high. Positive economic growth is expected throughout 2024, even if it slows a bit. The “soft landing” the Fed was aiming for seems to be a probability, however, credit card debt is at all-time highs, delinquencies are rising, and personal savings rates are at all-time lows. It remains to be seen whether the effects of inflation and high interest rates will indeed catch up to us. Global tensions remain high with the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars. Oil prices are at $83/barrel.