Posted by Mark Weber

Heidi Hukreide, Stonebridge Capital Advisors: The US Economy and Financial Markets

Providing a forecast of the U.S. economy in 2019 and beyond, on March 26, was guest speaker Heidi Hukreide, founder and portfolio manager at Stonebridge Capital Advisors in St. Paul.
 
When Stonebridge looks at the country’s GDP and other economic metrics, it doesn’t see a recession ahead for 2019 – any such event would likely be 2020 or beyond, said Heidi, and actually short-term recessions are often reported after the fact. The two largest components of GDP are consumer spending and government spending. Tax cuts have been a help to spur consumer spending; now it’s expected that the main driver of economic growth may be government spending as various agencies tackle such things as infrastructure improvements.
 
 
The bywords for 2019 seem to be “slower growth” and “volatile market.” Corporate profits surged in 2018 but will grow at a slower pace this year, she said. Stonebridge doesn’t think we’ll have an extended trade war, but they’re keeping a close eye on tariff talks.
 
It’s a good time to re-evaluate your objectives as an investor, Heidi said, but she added they encourage that kind of re-evaluation EVERY year. Your adjustments may include backing off equities just a bit. You can learn more about Stonebridge by visiting its website at www.stonebridgecap.com.
 

Announcements

A meeting of the EP AM Rotary Foundation will follow the April 2 general meeting, where Rudy Boschwitz will be  the guest speaker. Subsequent programs include Kathy Tolo of the Angel Foundation on April 9 and Roy Terwilliger offering some club and EP history April 16. You can also mark your calendar for April 18, when the Area 3 Ethics Vocational Luncheon will be held at Edina Country Club, with Jerome Mayne speaking. Our annual Park Clean-Up event will be the morning of Saturday, April 27.
 

Happy Fines

We’re happy and willing to donate $5 (or more) to The Rotary Foundation to prove it. PG Narayanan is happy to be joined by friends at his Rotary table. Caryl Hansen, a 1949 graduate of Henning High School, is happy about here school’s recent state title in boys basketball. Bob Starr is happy to finally connect with Lyndon Moquist – they have accidentally been wearing each other’s overcoats for several weeks now. Dennis Kim is happy toacknowledge the club’s new overcoat twins. Lyndon Moquist is happy to finally have cash and participate in the drawing for $30 cash, which he ended up winning.
 

Visitors

Patrick Assistant - Prospective Member
Blake Cadwallader - RYE
Dave Duca - Carmel, Indiana Club
Judit Amaros-Marin - Exchange Student
Andy Tan and Molly Zeller - Student Interns
 

Feed My Starving Children

Below is a photo of individuals that receive the food from Feed My Starving Children taken by President-Elect John Crudele during his trip to the Philippines.