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Uncle Sam’s final pre-election economic report card arrived this week.

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8% pace in Q3 (solid but lower than the expected 3.1%). Despite lackluster growth, economists are pleased by spendy-happy consumers and steady additions to the job rolls. 

Companies are also sharing their Q3 report cards:

• Meta grew less than expected, made more money than expected, and spent a ton on AI

• Microsoft saw strong growth thanks to its cloud business but lowered projections

• Starbucks reported room-temp earnings and announced non-dairy milk will no longer cost extra

A report yesterday from the Commerce Department reported the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge (the PCE index) was 2.1%––very near the Fed’s 2% target––though so-called core inflation remained stuck at 2.7%.

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Verse to consider whether the dollars are piling up or dwindling in your own storehouses… “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.” 
1 Timothy 6:17 (CSB) (read full passage)