We all know the stock market has been volatile in the past year. At the April 13 Waunakee Rotary meeting, Pat Ryan of Madison Investments shed some light on why. 

He's an investment and bonds expert, and far more knowledgeable about the financial markets than this newsletter writer, but here’s the overall gist about the state of our economy from his talk. 

One year ago at this time, interest rates were far lower, and as the Fed raised rates to rein in inflation, bonds went down. The good news is we’ve now reached the apex of where the Fed can take the interest rates, but bond markets are stressed due to losses on fixed income yields. 

The Federal Reserve is beginning to talk about a mild recession perhaps on the horizon, and in terms of economic health, a lot of people aren’t doing well. 

Banks are starting to be more cautious about lending, as well. 

However, the labor market has been incredibly good, Pat said, and there are more jobs than people. 

The good news is that yields and treasury bonds are seeing a reprisal, and there’s no expectation that yields are going to decline. 

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Other News:

-President-elect Jennifer Tasker inducted Janette Jordee as a new member. Welcome, Janette!

-On Saturday, April 15, the club will put away the rest of the lights. If you can help, meet at Village Park at 9 a.m. 

-April 22, Earth Day, is Village Clean-Up Day.

-May 20 is Tri-4 Schools. Volunteers are needed to help with the children’s triathlon from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. and 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

-Lisa Humenik has sent out a member survey. It’s anonymous, so tell us how you really feel.

-Ray Statz was on the April 8 Badger Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He thanked the contingent of Waunakee Rotarians who showed up at the Dane County Airport to welcome him back. Jennifer said the experience at the airport, with 1,000 or so friends and family welcoming veterans home, was pretty special. 

-Sarah Bonk, co-owner of Evie & Co., attended as a guest. She noted that Waunakee-area businesses are hosting a fundraiser for Project Brave, a local organization dedicated to supporting mental wellness, May 17-21. 

Guests: Sarah Bonk, guest of Ellen Schaaf; Jeff Smith, guest of Ross Mauer. 

Visiting Rotarians: None. 

Birthdays: April 24, Leonard Allen

Anniversaries: April 22, Kathy and Mark Cefalu; April 26, Sean and Holly Wayne

Greeters: April 20, Mark McFarland and Gordon Meicher; April 27, Nick Mischler and Liz Mueller.