Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – “You can’t keep a good economy down,” declared Jill Schlesinger, CBS Business Analyst, as she discussed the December jobs report. The report revealed a surprisingly strong finish to the year, with 256,000 jobs added, far surpassing the expected 150,000. However, Schlesinger pointed out the contradiction investors face: strong economic news can actually be problematic for markets. “Good news was bad news for investors,” she explained, linking the job growth to the Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to lowering interest rates. 

The conversation explored the balance between optimism about the economy’s strength and investor concerns. Schlesinger also addressed how the incoming administration could impact financial markets. She noted investor confidence in anticipated tax cuts and fewer regulations but cautioned that policies like tariffs and changes in immigration could disrupt the economy. 

For everyday individuals, Schlesinger stressed the importance of sticking to financial plans, especially when it comes to retirement accounts. Her advice: “If you’re putting money in your retirement account at work, hey, root for some down days because you’re putting money in at lower levels. You get something on sale for a change.” 

Listen here for the full conversation: