J.P. Morgan's Gabriela Santos: We're seeing an OK economy, not a red-hot one

Economic Outlook - The Federal Reserve's approach is seen as a normalization of rates rather than an accommodative policy, with expectations of a 100 basis point increase over the next year to reach a neutral rate of about 3% [1][2] - The GDP report is anticipated to show strong performance, with estimates suggesting over 3% growth for the second and third quarters, although a weaker report is expected for the fourth quarter [2][3] Consumer Spending Trends - Consumer spending has shown volatility, with a weak first quarter followed by a strong rebound in the second quarter, but signs of a slowdown are emerging in October, particularly in discretionary spending [4][5] - Retailers are expected to provide insights into the extent of the slowdown in consumer spending during the upcoming earnings season [5] Market Reactions - The equity markets are currently focused on key drivers such as the AI trend and the upcoming earnings season, which is expected to show double-digit growth for the fourth consecutive quarter [7] - The impact of a potential government shutdown on the labor market is being monitored, with concerns that prolonged shutdowns could lead to permanent layoffs affecting an already fragile labor market [6][8] Consumer Behavior Insights - There is a shift in consumer spending patterns, with discretionary core goods spending declining while services spending is fluctuating, particularly in the restaurant and travel sectors [11] - Retail margins have remained surprisingly decent despite tariff headwinds, and retailers will be assessed on their ability to manage costs and pass on expenses in the upcoming quarters [12]