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Bloomberg Talks

Morgan Stanley's Ellen Zentner Talks Jobs Data

Jan 10, 2025
Ellen Zenter, Morgan Stanley's Chief Economic Strategist and Global Head of Thematic and Macro Investing, dives into the current job landscape and its implications for the economy. She examines the disparity in consumer spending between services and goods, highlighting affluent trends. The discussion also navigates how labor market dynamics influence Federal Reserve policies. Zenter shares insights on America's entrepreneurial resilience, especially in Texas, and explores investment opportunities amid market volatility, focusing on sectors like AI and defense.
08:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • American consumers are increasingly prioritizing services over goods, with a notable shift towards experiences such as travel, especially among affluent individuals.
  • The economic outlook indicates prolonged elevated interest rates, prompting investors to consider strategic opportunities in sectors like energy, commodities, and thematic investments such as AI.

Deep dives

State of the American Consumer

The analysis reveals a significant shift in American consumer behavior, indicating that spending is predominantly focused on services rather than goods. This trend is evident in recent data showing a decrease in the goods sector while services, particularly travel among affluent consumers, continue to thrive. The impact of tariffs on goods further complicates the landscape, creating a clear divide between service and goods consumption. Overall, this reinforces the notion that while the job market remains strong, consumers are increasingly prioritizing experiences over physical products.

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