When it comes to cutting interest rates, the Federal Reserve seems determined to stick with its plan to take it slowly and let the data guide their decisions. But what data are they looking at, and what is it telling them? And what cues does the data have for investors? On this episode, host Mike Townsend and Kevin Gordon, director and senior investment strategist with the Schwab Center for Financial Research, sort through inflation numbers, consumer confidence data, the latest jobs report, and more to explain what's important to the Fed. Kevin also looks back at the markets' strong first half of the year and what the underlying data may signal for the second half of 2024. And he provides his perspective on why investors feel anxious about the market even amidst strong performance.

Mike also provides the latest from Washington, including a Supreme Court decision that could have far-reaching implications for companies and the markets and a setback for bipartisan privacy legislation. And Mike shares insights on the process should a presidential nominee choose not to run.

WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit Schwab.com/WashingtonWise.

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