Opinion: President Trump, we’re now at the zenith of the Obama economy – MarketWatch
The nasty 70-year little boy in that big white house spake thusly about the economy last Thursday: Ive created a million jobs! I cleaned up the mess I inherited! There is no global warming but there are wire tapps in Trump Tower, and terrorists are emboldened by political correctness. And so on. We know the drill.
And then the jobs report came out Friday and made a liar of Donald Trump, yet again. We know that drill too.
And yet those of us who are real-world investors and must make sense of the economy outside the Land of Trumpian Make Believe have to decide whats going on. It is this: The jobs report showed we are at the zenith of the Obama economy, for good or ill. And that means the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates when it meets next week.
The point here isnt to rehash the argument over who did what to the economy save that for Facebook, and besides, Trump still has yet to make a lickspittle of meaningful policy 136 days in. Its to explain what the jobs report and other recent data tell us about where we are in the expansion, and what that means.
America created 138,000 jobs in May way below forecasts. Including downward revisions to growth estimates for March and April, Trumps actual record so far is that 594,000 jobs have been created in four months on his watch. Thats below the 208,000 monthly average in the last year of Barack Obama, when things slowed down because of Chinas wobbles, and a good bit below the 226,000 monthly in 2014 and 2015 combined.
Yet, theres pretty good news, too. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, and even including discouraged workers and involuntary part-timers its down to 8.4% where it was during the better times of the aughts, and only a little higher than during the 1990s boom. Wage growth isnt accelerating, as economists have expected, but with core inflation low workers still got a real wage increase of about a percentage point in the last 12 months, give or take fluctuations in gasoline.
Read: Slower U.S. job creation is usually a bad thing. This time, it might be a good sign
Beyond that, there are pretty good signals that weve shaken off the slight torpor that set in during the first quarter, when the economy grew at only a 1.2% annual rate. The Atlanta Feds GDPNow tracker says second-quarter growth will be around 3.4%. The New York Feds tracking forecast is a more modest 2.2%. But either one is OK and, averaged with the first quarter, suggests were growing at about last years pace or, possibly, the brisker clip that brought an average of 2.5% growth the two years before that.
Best of all, real family incomes have finally regained their web-era peaks, in perhaps the ultimate success of the last presidents drive to undo the damage of the 2008 financial crisis. According to Sentier Research, median family incomes reached 100.9% of their January 2000 level in April, finally rescaling the peak from which we descended so abruptly.
Read: Why workers arent getting bigger paychecks despite sizzling jobs market
So, we have jobs for just about everyone who wants them, at record inflation-adjusted incomes, but without much growth. And we have big weak spots, especially in manufacturing and in blue-collar communities stranded by factories struggles.
Thats why this is the zenith of Obamas economy the word means the time at which something is most powerful or successful. And this is it: This is as good as Obamas economy gets. The incomes news marks the completion of his medium-term goals. It doesnt mean Trump wont do better it doesnt even mean the economy is all that good. Its just as good as the economy gets until new technology or new policy breaks its mold.
That means the Fed will move next week to temper this cycle, hoping to lengthen it before the lack of labor-force growth, or much productivity improvement. creates inflation that reverses these hard-won gains.
The central banks job is to move near the top, and near the end, of economic cycles to make sure they dont create the problems that lead to inflation, or to the next recession. Both the triumphalists who thought Trump would bring surging growth, and those who thought he might bring something like doom have been proven wrong. Fiscal policy whether its tax cuts, regulatory changes, and like pretty much anything the White House might do these days is a shambles. Helps not on the way. So the monetary policy we all expected before the election, to raise rates but only gradually, is still the right one.
That means a hike next week of a quarter of a point, bringing the federal-funds rate target range to 1% to 1.25%. Couple that with a post-meeting statement that suggest it may be a while, and take more-tangible evidence of acceleration, before another hike happens and that will be about right. The Fed cant make this expansion stronger, but it can help make it longer.
Also read: The surprising threat to the American economy
Go here to see the original:
Opinion: President Trump, we're now at the zenith of the Obama economy - MarketWatch
- Democracy is on the ballot, Obama says, urging Californians to pass Prop. 50 in new ad - Los Angeles Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama rips concessions that businesses and others have made to Trump - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Torches Trump by Turning MAGAs Favorite Gripe Against Him - The Daily Beast - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama takes aim at companies cutting deals with Trump: We have capacity to take a stand - The Guardian - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Marc Maron Ends His Podcast With Words of Advice From Barack Obama - The Hollywood Reporter - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama: Inherently corrupting for a president to use military against their own people - The Hill - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Emphasizes Civility More Than Warrior Spirit With Marc Maron On Final WTF: We Probably Need To Be Shaken Out Of Our Complacency -... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Blasts Companies and Universities for Backing Down to Trump - Newsweek - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Reveals He Only Plays This One Phone Game - CNET - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Marc Maron Ends WTF Podcast With Barack Obama Giving Him Advice: Be a Little Brain-Dead for a While and Dont Rush Into Whats Next - Variety - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama warns that Republicans want to rig next years election in horrowing ad - TheGrio - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Reveals Why He Started Speaking Out Against Trump - The Daily Beast - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Trump takes swipe at Hillary Clinton, blasts Obama and Biden in passionate address to Israeli parliament - New York Post - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- This is 'a test,' Obama says of the US under Trump. He gets candid with podcaster Marc Maron - TheDailyNewsOnline.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Former Pres. Obama Adviser Weighs in on Obamas Comments on Trump: The Greatest Threat is People are Complacent. - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Opinion - Obama rebukes Trumps use of National Guard in cities: inherently corrupting - Yahoo - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama Finally Tells Us Why Hes Been So Quiet When It Comes to Trump - The Root - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Believes Businesses And Universities Are Being Tested By The Trump Administration Here's His Advice - afrotech.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama urges Californians to back Prop. 50: Democracy is on the ballot - Stocktonia - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama rebukes Trump's use of Nat'l Guard in cities: 'inherently corrupting' Lindsey Granger | RISING - The Hill - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Obama gloats that Hispanics who voted Trump for the economy are now being 'tested' by ICE raids - Daily Mail - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Accuses Republicans Of Wanting To 'Rig The Next Election' In Ad Supporting Governor Newsom - Latin Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- This is a test, Obama says of the U.S. under Trump. He gets candid with podcaster Marc Maron - Los Angeles Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- 2024 was a repudiation of the Obama-DEI style of politics: Michael Malice - Fox News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- After Nobel Snub, Trump To Get An Award That Obama Received - NDTV - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Top lawyers for Bush, Clinton and Obama join together to blast Trumps political prosecutions: No American is safe - AOL.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Trump's Power Success, Obama-Biden's Wages of Weakness, by Austin Bay - Creators Syndicate - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Barack Obama opens up on decision to speak out against Trump after leaving the Oval Office - UNILAD - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama decries politicization of the military by President Donald Trump - Chicago Tribune - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Rigged! Obama cuts ad for California ballot initiative and questions the legitimacy of 2026 election - Washington Times - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- President Obama explores ways to combat the rise of authoritarianism with Eastern European alumni - Obama Foundation - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama's Girls Opportunity Alliance is rallying $2.5 million for grassroots education - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Awarded for nothing: Trump hits out at Obama over Nobel Peace Prize win; calls himself more deserving - The Times of India - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- MAGA Fumes at Obama for Ignoring Trump in His Peace Post - The Daily Beast - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- A quick word in the ear and Trump had done what Obama and Biden never could - yahoo.com - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Watch the heartwarming moment when a 102-year-old woman tells Barack Obama what she eats every day - Yahoo Creators - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Trump only really wanted to win the Nobel Peace Prize for one reason and you guessed it: its Obama - The Independent - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Obama: We should all be encouraged that end to Israel-Hamas war in sight - The Hill - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trump railed against Obama before he was passed over for Nobel Peace Prize - TheGrio - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Battenfeld: Obama shows pettiness by failing to credit Trump for peace deal - Boston Herald - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trumps Attempt to Goad Navy Into Booing Obama Met With Awkward Silence - Yahoo - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trump Slams Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win Just Before Losing His Campaign - BIN: Black Information Network - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Maria Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize 2025: The delicious Obama twist in giving the award to Venezu - Times of India - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Trump only really wanted to win the Nobel Peace Prize for one reason and you guessed it: its Obama - Yahoo - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- "Obama Got It For Nothing": Trump Tears Into Ex-President's Nobel Prize Win - NDTV - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Obama's Go-To Hometown Meal Comes With A Heaping Helping Of Comfort - Yahoo - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Trump tries to get Navy to boo Obama what happened next left the crowd silent - The Economic Times - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Top CNN anchor shocks with praise for Trump compared to Obama - SILive.com - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's 'elite' pen of choice is unbelievably affordable today - Creative Bloq - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Be cool when you walk down: Trump compliments the way Obama would bop down the stairs of Air Force One - Yahoo - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Obama's Go-To Hometown Meal Comes With A Heaping Helping Of Comfort - Chowhound - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Trump met with awkward silence after attempting to get crowd to boo Obama - tyla.com - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Watch: Trump flops at Navy's 250th anniversary event; tries to provoke boos for Obama but fail - Times of India - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Did Obama say '80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on'? - Snopes - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Trump just tried to claim he's in better shape than Obama but nobody's buying it - Indy100 - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares the ultimate secret to happiness, says Gen Z is simply not getting it - Scoop Upworthy - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's Photos Through the Years - People.com - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama - Image 1 from The Obamas Celebrate 33 Years of Black Love At Its Finest - bet.com - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Michelle and Barack Obama Share Adorable, Never-Before-Seen Photo to Celebrate 33rd Anniversary - instyle.com - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- During the Obama administration, Donald Trump spent years blaming the president for government shutdowns. The federal government remained shut down... - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- CNN speaks with the man behind the viral DJ Obama AI-generated images - CNN - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- From Mariah Carey to Obama and Chris Brown, every celebrity mentioned in Diddy's trial - USA Today - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Says She's 'Lucky to Go Through Life' with Barack on 33rd Wedding Anniversary - People.com - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Reveals Baracks Annoying Habit That Makes Her Want to Smack You Upside the Head - instyle.com - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama cites 'quite the journey' with Barack Obama in anniversary message - Fox News - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Dana White reveals what President Barack Obama said to him at 2025 inauguration - Yahoo - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- See Photos of Barack and Michelle Obama Through the Years as the Couple Celebrates Their 33rd Wedding Anniversary - Yahoo - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama are blissfully in love celebrating 33rd anniversary - revolt.tv - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Dana White reveals what he discussed with Barack Obama at Trumps inauguration - PennLive.com - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Michelle and Barack Obama celebrate their anniversary: How long have they been married? - HOLA - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- What Do I Have in Common with Michelle Obama? We Both Love This Laguna Beach-Based Jewelry Brand - PureWow - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate 33 years of marriage with touching tributes and timeless memories - Indiablooms - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama sweetly celebrate their 33rd anniversary with loved-up tributes: The best decision - Page Six - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Trump and White House ramp up racist memes blaming Democrats for shutdown: Dollar Store Obama - Yahoo News Canada - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Just Revealed Baracks Irritating Habit That Makes Her Want to Smack Him Upside the Head - The Root - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Michelle and Barack Obama Share Adorable, Never-Before-Seen Photo to Celebrate 33rd Anniversary - AOL.com - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Picking the health care fight a good idea for Democrats, says former Obama official - MSNBC News - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Trump praised Obama during speech to military leaders in a very bizarre way - The Independent - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Dishes on Baracks Habit That Makes Her So Irritated She Wants to Smack Him - Yahoo - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Donald Trump vs. Barack Obama: New poll wont make the president happy - PennLive.com - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]