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Finish What You Started: 3 Questions to End the Year with Purpose

Jim Berner, Partner & Valuation Specialist
We are halfway through 2025; can you believe it? As we continue through the year, I like to know where we are, then look into my crystal ball and give you the answers about where we are going (I wish). Because I love stats, here are a few to ponder…

 

June 2025 consumer confidence index dropped by (5.4) points from May 2025.

 

Despite consumer confidence declining, a record number of Americans are expected to travel over the July 4th holiday. According to AAA, 72.2 million Americans are projected to travel at least 50 miles or more from home, 61.6 million traveling by car, a 2.2% increase from the previous year and the highest mileage on record.

 

The S&P 500 is up approximately 12% over the last 12 months.
 
While consumer confidence has decreased, investors are still bullish about future company performance. Now you might be saying, Jim the majority of the top 10 companies weighted by market cap in the S&P 500 are essentially tech companies and driven by A.I. hype and laying off workers, of course they’re pumped. So I like to review two companies that people shop, Walmart and Dollar General. It is in my opinion that when consumers begin pulling back spending at these two places, it is a leading indicator of future economic conditions. Walmart stock is up approximately 7.5% year-to-date while Dollar General is up approximately 36.84% year-to-date.

 

The Fed continues to keep rates steady.
 
While the Fed has left rates unchanged in their June 2025 meeting. Ken and I continue to see the M&A market filled with activity. According to the Fed’s economic projections released on June 18th, 2025, the Federal Reserve Board projects positive trends in real GDP with declining unemployment rates, core personal consumption expenditure inflation, and federal funds rate in the years to come.

 

The first half of 2025 is over. Take a breath… but now half-time is over, time to play the second half.
 
What is going to make the next 6 months in 2025 incredible? Consider asking yourself (and your team) these three questions.
  1. Are you on track to meet your annual strategic goals? Or what needs to change?
  2. Does everyone feel they have what they need to be successful in their position?
  3. Do all team members have clarity on their three metrics that support the company’s strategic goals?

 

Want to talk more about this? Reach out to Meridian@AskMeridian.com!