What a difference a month makes! The Dow Jones Industrial average flew over the 11,000 mark and is still rising as we drive into mid-April The tech heavy NASDAQ also continues to climb, finishing well at 2500. Both the 11,000 mark on the Dow and the 2500 mark on the NASDAQ are considered key peaks and show new enthusiasm for the US economy.
Unemployment, however, continues at a high rate, still above 9% overall and above 13% in my home state of Nevada. Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in March and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Temporary help services and health care continued to add jobs over the month. Employment in federal government also rose, reflecting the hiring of temporary workers for Census 2010. Employment continued to decline in financial activities and in information. In March, there were still 15 million people unemployed.
- So what to do?
We believe the economy is on the cusp of normalcy and growth. Since the US is a consumer-driven economy, individuals need enough money saved and in their hands to buy new products. Once this occurs, and it will very soon, we should see very normal economic growth.
• Now is the time to hire the key people needed for your short and long term success.
• Now is the time to take advantage of increased fund availability to execute your organic or acquisition growth strategy.
Don’t look back next year and say, ‘I should have been more proactive….’
Don’t be would have, could have, should have….