Consumers have enjoyed some positives in the last year, including a strong jobs market and rising wages. Overall, however, they have faced an increasing array of challenges that have dampened spirits. Fiscal stimulus has run dry, budgets have been pressured by a price upswing in nearly everything, interest rates are much higher, and despite elevated wages, the real wage rate has been declining. In addition, the headlines have turned increasingly dark: a protracted war in Ukraine, yet another COVID-variant upwelling, a potential policy mistake by the Federal Reserve, a stock market collapse, and widespread talk of an imminent recession.
May
06
2022
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About The Author
![James Paulsen / Chief Investment Strategist](https://leuthold.imgix.net/leutholdgroup.com/site_files/authors/DSC_2988_LR_Jim.jpg?h=150&w=150&fit=crop&fp-y=.15)