Lara is Chief U.S. Economist and Managing Director on the Investment Research team at FS Investments, where she analyzes developments in the global and U.S. economy and financial markets. Her fresh take on macroeconomic issues helps to inform and develop the firm’s long-term views on the economy, investment trends and issues facing investors. Lara is committed to the Philadelphia community and serves on the boards of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Hyperion Bank and Starr Garden Park.
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Resetting expectations: Tackling payrolls in the new normal
The monthly U.S. payroll report is often viewed as a barometer of economic health by investors and policymakers. Gain insight on this market-moving indicator, its link to trend employment growth and how it fits into the new normal.
If the hare is expectations, then the tortoise is perspective
We are in a time of high policy uncertainty. The counterweight to expectations is perspective, and it is important for investors to leverage perspective for this long-term race we call investing.
Productivity primer: It’s all about the crust
What is productivity, and how does it contribute to income and growth for investors?
Beyond the election
For the second time in only a few months, a major voting decision has delivered an unexpected result. The victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election was largely unexpected and, following the old adage that “markets don’t like uncertainty,” may cause a global spike in volatility.
U.S. stock market: What are you really buying?
Major stock indexes hang near their all-time highs, while the number of public U.S. companies has plunged since the mid-1990s. What do these diverging trends mean for investors’ portfolios?
What Pokémon Go can teach us about investing
The Pokémon Go craze is a great way to think about alternatives. Investors are looking at the real world and choosing to chase something imaginary: growth.