U.S. jobs, inflation data point to sustained economic strength

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly held steady near a 43-year low last week, pointing to further momentum in the labor market after job growth surged in June.

Another report on Thursday showed producer prices recorded their biggest gain in a year in June on rising costs for energy products and services. The signs of sustained strength in the economy, together with a U.S. stock market rally, could allow the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates later this year.

US and Germany grow together
The US is Germany’s number one trading partner for first time in 40 years. Total trade volume reached €173 billion in 2015, and a recent Deloitte study indicates that German manufacturers see the US as the driver of the world economy. Deutsche Messe’s five industrial trade fairs that are co-located with IMTS (12 - 17 September 2016; McCormick Place, Chicago) confirm the renewed interest from Europe’s largest economy: 20% of the more than 400 exhibiting companies are based in Germany. With 48 exhibitors, the German Pavilion is more than two times bigger compared to 2014.

“Re-industrialisation and a lower euro exchange rate have generated growing demand for ‘Made in Germany’,” said Wolfgang Pech, Senior Vice President at Deutsche Messe. “The latest statistics from the German Engineering Federation confirm this: in the first three quarters of 2015, German machinery and plant manufacturers exported products worth almost €13 billion to the US Many of our German customers expect substantial sales growth in America in the near future, so it is no wonder that German participation in our events in Chicago has spiked. We provide a great platform for meeting current and new customers.”

And all of that probably from healthcare. See, the government can force people to purchase something and it helps the economy. The downside: those same people don't have any money left over for anything else like the American dream of a home, new cars, etc. etc.

Also, most people will probably stop buying health insurance after the first few months and opt for the penalty because people don't have tons of expendable income and the O-care premiums are expensive.

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