Blogs

Quarterly Market Review: Q3 2021 By: Paul Dickson, Director of Research and Mark Stevens, Chief Investment Officer Once More Unto The Brink! The quarter saw many worrisome headlines that could have caused significant consternation for market participants and did lead to some volatility and weakness towards the end of the quarter. Overall, however, the general stability of the markets was a testament to their fortitude. The US -- and Global -- Economy was on the brink of an extraordinary recovery until the Delta Variant of the Covid-19 Virus intervened. An ongoing survey of market economists...

Nobody likes to find an item or brand they want is out of stock, but as any retailer knows, it’s happening more frequently. And, it’s becoming more clear that businesses will likely face supply chain constrictions for some time. Shipping delays and cost increases are expected to continue. In September, four records were set in three weeks for the number of cargo ships waiting to unload off the California coast. Some analysts suggest that supply chains will be tight well into 2022 and maybe even beyond. Shipping delays and cost increases are expected to continue. In September, four records were...

Even as Covid-19 infections caused by the delta variant continue to rise in some areas of the country, economic activity continues to increase. Consumer spending rose at an annualized rate of 11.8 percent in the second quarter, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Payroll employment increased by 943,000 in July, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, above expectations. The best news is that spending increases were led by food services and hospitality, some of the mainstays of local economies. Commercial enterprises are now seeking ways to grow as the economy expands...

As more economic stimulus has been poured into the economy over the last year in an attempt to stave off the worst effects of the pandemic, an increasing number of economic professionals have warned against a coming spike in inflation. While the United States historically has had a low overall rate of inflation compared to other countries, there are still some troubling signs for businesses to shield themselves against. Some inflation is inevitable as the country emerges from the pandemic simply as a normalization from the unusually low growth in 2020. Finding ways to creatively cope with a...

February 8, 2021 – Arizona Bank & Trust, a division of HTLF Bank, through its parent company, Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF), has been named a “Forbes Best Bank 2021.” Heartland is the only bank headquartered in Iowa to receive the prestigious recognition from Forbes, again this year. In its annual review of the largest publicly traded banks and thrifts, Forbes ranked Heartland 52nd among a nationwide group of 100 leading banking organizations with assets ranging from $9 billion to over $2 trillion. “We are proud to be named among the best banks in America for 2021,” said Lynn H. “Tut” Fuller, President and...