In this back-to-school update, Sam McGee covers the current state of the U.S. economy and financial markets as of August 2025. He discusses the relationship between the economy and markets, recent trends in unemployment, inflation, real estate, and interest rates, and provides insights into what may be ahead for investors. The episode also touches on the Federal Reserve’s actions, market volatility, and the importance of diversification in financial planning. If you’re looking to catch up on economic news and market trends as the school year begins, this episode is for you!

00:00 – Introduction & Disclaimer

00:34 – Back to School: Timing and Parental Routines

01:02 – Economy vs. Financial Markets: Key Differences

01:29 – What is the Economy? (Lagging Indicator)

02:03 – Financial Markets as Leading Indicators

02:28 – Market Volatility and Irrationality in 2025

03:00 – S&P 500 Performance: Downturn and Rebound

03:28 – State of the Economy: Key Bullet Points

03:49 – U.S. Unemployment Data (July 2025)

04:09 – Comparing Unemployment: 2020 vs. 2025

04:36 – Government Stimulus and Unemployment Trends

05:07 – Current Unemployment Rate and Historical Context

05:28 – U.S. Consumer Price Index & Inflation Trends

05:50 – Fed Rate Hikes and Impact on Inflation

06:30 – CPI Drop and Current Inflation Rate

06:51 – Real Estate Market Overview

07:13 – Case Shiller Home Price Index Trends

07:25 – Home Prices, Interest Rates, and Inventory

07:44 – Effects of High Prices and Low Inventory

08:17 – Seller Behavior and Market Adjustments

08:37 – Mortgage Rates and Buyer/Seller Dynamics

08:51 – U.S. Company Earnings and Economic Resilience

09:27 – Fed Rate Cut Expectations and Inflation

09:55 – Inflation Uptick and Fed’s Dilemma

10:53 – The Fed’s Balancing Act: Inflation vs. Economy

11:12 – Rate Cut Predictions and Market Expectations

11:34 – Financial Markets: Year-to-Date Performance

12:01 – S&P 500 and ETF Performance

12:36 – Growth vs. Value: Russell 1000 Indices

13:03 – Market Resilience Amid Geopolitical Risks

13:29 – Recap: Economic and Market Update

13:54 – Crestmont Private Wealth’s Approach & Contact Info

14:22 – Outro and Closing Remarks


Original Air Date: August 9, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com 

Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288 

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

In this back-to-school update, Sam McGee covers the current state of the U.S. economy and financial markets as of August 2025. He discusses the relationship between the economy and markets, recent trends in unemployment, inflation, real estate, and interest rates, and provides insights into what may be ahead for investors. The episode also touches on the Federal Reserve&rsquo;s actions, market volatility, and the importance of diversification in financial planning. If you&rsquo;re looking to catch up on economic news and market trends as the school year begins, this episode is for you!
00:00 &ndash; Introduction &amp; Disclaimer
00:34 &ndash; Back to School: Timing and Parental Routines
01:02 &ndash; Economy vs. Financial Markets: Key Differences
01:29 &ndash; What is the Economy? (Lagging Indicator)
02:03 &ndash; Financial Markets as Leading Indicators
02:28 &ndash; Market Volatility and Irrationality in 2025
03:00 &ndash; S&amp;P 500 Performance: Downturn and Rebound
03:28 &ndash; State of the Economy: Key Bullet Points
03:49 &ndash; U.S. Unemployment Data (July 2025)
04:09 &ndash; Comparing Unemployment: 2020 vs. 2025
04:36 &ndash; Government Stimulus and Unemployment Trends
05:07 &ndash; Current Unemployment Rate and Historical Context
05:28 &ndash; U.S. Consumer Price Index &amp; Inflation Trends
05:50 &ndash; Fed Rate Hikes and Impact on Inflation
06:30 &ndash; CPI Drop and Current Inflation Rate
06:51 &ndash; Real Estate Market Overview
07:13 &ndash; Case Shiller Home Price Index Trends
07:25 &ndash; Home Prices, Interest Rates, and Inventory
07:44 &ndash; Effects of High Prices and Low Inventory
08:17 &ndash; Seller Behavior and Market Adjustments
08:37 &ndash; Mortgage Rates and Buyer/Seller Dynamics
08:51 &ndash; U.S. Company Earnings and Economic Resilience
09:27 &ndash; Fed Rate Cut Expectations and Inflation
09:55 &ndash; Inflation Uptick and Fed&rsquo;s Dilemma
10:53 &ndash; The Fed&rsquo;s Balancing Act: Inflation vs. Economy
11:12 &ndash; Rate Cut Predictions and Market Expectations
11:34 &ndash; Financial Markets: Year-to-Date Performance
12:01 &ndash; S&amp;P 500 and ETF Performance
12:36 &ndash; Growth vs. Value: Russell 1000 Indices
13:03 &ndash; Market Resilience Amid Geopolitical Risks
13:29 &ndash; Recap: Economic and Market Update
13:54 &ndash; Crestmont Private Wealth&rsquo;s Approach &amp; Contact Info
14:22 &ndash; Outro and Closing Remarks
<ul>
<li>
Original Air Date: August 9, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM
Contact:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crestmontpw.com/">www.crestmontpw.com</a>&nbsp;
Alec Walker in Houston:&nbsp; 831-280-5288&nbsp;
Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898
</li>
</ul>

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA

Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006
(830) 368-2898
www.crestmontpw.com

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA
Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=604%20S.%20Main%20St.,%20Boerne,%20TX,%2078006">604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006</a></li>
<li><a href="tel:8303682898">(830) 368-2898</a></li>
<li><a href="http://crestmontpw.com/">www.crestmontpw.com</a></li>
</ul>

The Ascent With Crestmont Private Wealth

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 

Host: Sam McGee

Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056

(832) 280-5288

Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006

Office (830) 368-2898

About Sam McGee

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.

Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.

Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.

When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, & Friendships”

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 
Host: Sam McGee
Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 280-5288
Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006
Office (830) 368-2898
About Sam McGee
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER &amp; CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.
Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.
Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.
When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, &amp; Friendships”

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