The Real Economy: October 2024

What the Fed’s pivot means

When the Federal Reserve cut its policy rate by a half percentage point in September, it sent a clear signal to the market that it was willing to take bold action to shore up the labor market and preserve the soft landing in the economy.

In the October issue of The Real Economy, RSM Chief Economist Joseph Brusuelas examines this new rate environment and its effect on middle market businesses and consumers. The rate cuts, he writes, will be crucial for the growth of the middle market and RSM clients, encouraging investment in business expansion, new technologies and intellectual properties.

Also in this issue, RSM’s consumer products practice looks at the back-to-school shopping season and what it means for the all-important holiday shopping season. Consumers are demanding flexibility in how they shop, whether it’s in store, online or using a hybrid approach, RSM’s Nick Stuart and Peter Ramer write—and businesses that adapt will be the winners. 

We anticipate that the reductions will unlock cash flows among firms and households and unleash pent-up demand for housing, autos and capital expenditures that are key to improving productivity.
Joe Brusuelas, Chief Economist

Finally, RSM’s Mike Graziano looks at the moribund M&A market in the consumer products sector in the first half of the year. But the rate cuts could spur more dealmaking.

We look at these topics and more in this issue of The Real Economy.

Inside the October issue:

RSM contributors

The Real Economy Livestream series

Key economic themes affecting the middle market

Join RSM US Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Neil Bradley as they discuss the economic outlook and what middle market companies should anticipate.

Recorded September 18, 2024

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Timely economic analysis and trends to help middle market businesses succeed

Special report

Middle market is confident about AI, despite early-stage adoption changes

  • 78% of respondents say their organization either formally or informally uses AI
  • 41% report being in the partial implementation phase for AI
  • 58% of those who use generative AI want to use it to improve quality control

Also from The Real Economy

Monthly economic analysis report for the US middle market

The Real Economy Blog

The Real Economy Blog was developed to provide timely economic insights about the middle market economy. It is offered as a complement to RSM’s macroeconomic thought leadership, including The Real Economy monthly publication and the proprietary RSM US Middle Market Business Index (MMBI).

The voice of the middle market

Middle market organizations, which make up the “real economy,” are too big to be small and too small to be big. They have distinct challenges and opportunities around resources, labor, technology, innovation, regulation and more.