Longtime Central Florida Investment Advisor Projects Gradually Improving Economic Picture despite Congressional Impotence

Maitland, Fla. --- Longtime Central Florida investment advisor George Livingston, chairman of NAI Realvest in Maitland, has a message for economic doomsayers: relax. Things really are getting better. “The economy is expanding and it’s likely to continue to expand during 2013 and for the next several years,” Livingston said. Interest rates will remain low---and wise borrowers will lock in debt---but lenders will be stingier with their capital, requiring developers to put up more equity on capital improvement loans. The government will continue to stimulate the economy with monetary and fiscal policies. The biggest roadblock to economic growth, Livingston said, will be the uncertainty generated by regulation and social engineering. Inflation is likely to increase. Employment will improve, but unemployment will remain above comparable norms. Consumption and investments will increase, as will the number of mergers and acquisitions. The housing market will continue to expand, government spending will remain high, and taxes are likely to increase, Livingston said. Foreign trade will increase as well, and U.S. firms will return offshore operations to America. Moreover, foreign firms will increase their U.S. operations. “America is moving toward energy self-sufficiency, and as a result exports will have a very positive net economic effect,” Livingston said. For investors, warehousing and manufacturing are key sectors for economic growth. On the world front, turmoil will persist in the Middle East and Europe will continue to have economic problems, but Mexico and Canada will see strong economic improvement. “America will do its best not become entangled in foreign conflicts,” Livingston said. And U.S. military strength will decline as a proportion of global military spending. The next big battlefront, Livingston said, is cyberware. “Cyberware is a clear emerging national security and economic threat,” Livingston said. Overall, Livingston said, we should prepare for better days. Our improving economic picture will drive the stock market higher, which in turn will boost equity markets.