This podcast episode discusses the importance of economic data in understanding the economy and making investment decisions. The speaker highlights the key data series to follow, such as the employment report, GDP report, and housing data. They emphasize the predictive value of housing starts and new home sales, but caution against relying too heavily on sentiment data. The episode also explores the impact of rents on inflation and the Fed's monetary policy, noting that rents have surged in recent years but are now flat year over year. The speaker discusses the real estate market and predicts that house prices will be flat or only slightly up by the end of the year. Additionally, the podcast addresses the indicators that suggested a recession was unlikely in 2023, including improving supply chain issues and pent-up demand in sectors like auto sales. Overall, this episode provides insights into analyzing the economy and making informed investment decisions.
