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What Happened Last Week and What It Means to You: Week Ending July 25, 2025

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Initial jobless claims for the week ending July 19 decreased by 4,000… Yet, if you are unemployed or a recent college graduate you may be finding it difficult to find a job.
What does it mean – Continuing jobless claims for the week ending July 12 increased by 4,000 to 1.955 million. The low level of initial jobless claims implies a relatively solid labor market. However, the elevated level of continuing jobless claims continues to frustrate folks seeking full time employment and is an added difficulty in finding a new job in the event one gets laid off by their employer. It looks like the employer is back in the driver’s seat after several years of watching employees switch from job to job seeking flexible work schedules and remote work.

Unemployment falls to 4.1%… The June Employment Situation Report featured a decline in the unemployment rate to 4.1% from 4.2% and a relatively solid 147,000 increase in nonfarm payrolls.
What does it mean – While the labor force participation rate decreased to 62.3% from 62.4%, overall, the numbers point to a strong labor market.

The median sales price decreased 2.9% yr/yr to $401,800… Yet the average sales price increased 1.1% yr/yr to $501,000.
What does it mean – At the current sales pace, the supply of new homes for sale stood at 9.8 months, versus 8.4 months in the year-ago period. From the data, it looks like buyers are getting squeezed. Rates are up and more of their paycheck is going to pay for the mortgage, insurance, and taxes than ever before. According to recent figures the average buyer is putting out over 46% of their monthly income to pay for their housing. Historically that number was roughly 1/3 of one’s household income.

The key takeaway from the report is that the pace of sales remained near the lowest level of the year with sharp decreases in sales in the Northeast and the West masking the gains in the Midwest and the South. There was quite a bit of pressure on the median selling price, as homes priced between $300,000 and $399,000 accounted for 35% of all sales (2025 high), up from 25% in May. Good luck trying to find a single family home in that range in Southern California.

Factory orders surged 8.2% month-over-month in May… After a tough April and all the fear of tariffs, factory orders are on a run.
What does it mean – The key takeaway from this report is that business spending picked up in May. US manufacturing saw much improved activity following the pause on reciprocal tariffs announced in April and the subsequent de-escalation in the U.S. tariffs.

Is it inflation?… Or could it be massive government regulation and overreach and a fed a government that printed massive amount of money devaluing your $dollar?
What does it mean – When I saw the chart below and looked at the goods, services and wages that have seen the highest inflation and increase in costs and reduction in quality and could not help but to see governments hands all over it. Since 2000 we have seen a massive increase in the cost of services and goods the government has inserted itself in through more control, regulation and mandates.
• Hospital Care up nearly 275%
• College tuition is up 190%
• Day Care and Pre K care up 150%
• Medical and Health Care up 140%
• Hourly Wages up 125%
• Housing up $120%
• Food expenses up 100%

Since 2000 everything the government has injected itself into through increased regulations from healthcare, lending, hourly wages, food and housing has led to massive increases. While not the sole issue driving up costs, it is one of the main factors across goods and services highlighted below.

This is further proof that continued encroachment into the private sector by big government and the new version of communism trumpeted by AOC, Bernie, the squad, and now the candidate for Mayor in NY, also known as Democratic Socialism, will continue to lead us to inferior services, higher costs, and a slowing economy, hurting every citizen. Government run stores and housing is not the answer. It is theft. America, stop the steal!!

Let’s roll America!!

Doug De Groote, CFP®, MBA, CTC
Managing Director

Managing Director

De Groote Financial Group, LLC is a federally registered investment adviser that maintains a principal office in the State of California. The information contained in this message is confidential, protected from disclosure and may be legally privileged. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, distribution, copying, or any action taken or action omitted in reliance on it, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format.

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Bruce Lacey

Financial Advisor

Bruce Lacey spent 16 years with Aramark in various financial leadership roles, including Controller and CFO. Since 1997, he has been a trusted financial advisor to private clients, working with leading firms such as UBS, United Capital, and Goldman Sachs. Bruce specializes in comprehensive financial and investment planning for families, with a particular focus on helping people reach and maintain their retirement goals.

Cristina Moreno

Executive Assistant

Cristina joined the financial industry in 2024 when she was hired at De Groote Financial. In her role as Executive Assistant, she ensures the smooth operation of the office by providing crucial administrative support and assisting with scheduling and organization. With a strong background in operations management and office management, Cristina brings a wealth of experience to her role at DFG. In her free time, Cristina enjoys spending quality moments with her young adult daughters, her dog Lexie, and with family and friends. She is passionate about cooking and enjoys hiking in her leisure time.

Jeannie Ewing-Nicholson

Operations Manager

Jeannie started her career in the Financial Services industry in 1994 with Oppenheimer & Company. As part of the De Groote Financial Group, Jeannie is responsible for the operational needs of the firm including cash management and account administration. With her upbeat attitude and attention to detail, Jeannie provides an efficient streamlines experience to ensure clients meet their goals. Jeannie enjoys travel, outdoor activities, Pilates, and is a football and basketball fan. She resides in Westlake Village with her husband, daughter and son.

Cristina Moreno

Executive Assistant

Cristina joined the financial industry in 2024 when she was hired at De Groote Financial. In her role as Executive Assistant, she ensures the smooth operation of the office by providing crucial administrative support and assisting with scheduling and organization. With a strong background in operations management and office management, Cristina brings a wealth of experience to her role at DFG.

In her free time, Cristina enjoys spending quality moments with her young adult daughters, her dog Lexie, and with family and friends. She is passionate about cooking and enjoys hiking in her leisure time.

Nicole Adler

Operations Manager

Nicole began her career in the financial services industry in 2021. As Operations Manager, Nicole contributes to much of the client communication and is responsible for paperwork to manage and invest accounts. As a Notary Public, Nicole provides notary services at De Groote Financial Group, ensuring a seamless and efficient document submission process for clients. Nicole graduated from Cal State Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Having been exposed to investing from a young age, Nicole is passionate about financial literacy and has found fulfillment in that passion at De Groote Financial Group.

Fadi Ahmed

Chief Operations Officer and Chief Compliance Officer

Fadi works with clients to ensure an exceptional experience. He coordinates and assures the planning process and wealth management tools are at your fingertips to provide the clarity you deserve and the transparency and access to all your accounts. Fadi ensures the data and information is reflective in our planning software. All changes and updates flow through his desk and he coordinates those changes with the rest of our team.

Andrew Krout

Wealth Advisor, Co-Chief Investment Officer

Andrew Krout is a Wealth Advisor at De Groote Financial Group, LLC. He also serves as a Co-Chief Investment Officer for the firm, focused on wealth management.

Previously, Andrew served as CIO with Kelly Financial in Boston Massachusetts since 2013. He is a licensed investment advisor representative and insurance producer. He graduated from Saint Francis University with a bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting. He is a candidate for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. Andrew holds life insurance licenses in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut.

Andrew is passionate about serving his clients and investment management and how to apply news and current events to investment decisions. He played Division 1 golf in college, and still enjoys playing and watching the sport in his free time.

David Darst

Co-Chief Information Officer

David Martin Darst, CFA is an Investment Advisor to DeGroote Financial Group, specializing in asset allocation and product selection. Previously, David served for 17 years as a Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, with the responsibility for Asset Allocation and Investment Strategy. He joined Morgan Stanley in 1996 from Goldman Sachs, where he held Senior Management Posts within the Equities Division and earlier, for six years as Resident Manager of their Private Bank in Zurich.

David is the author of 13 books, including bestsellers The Art of Asset Allocation, 2nd Edition (McGraw-Hill), and The Little Book that Still Saves Your Assets (John Wiley & Sons). He also appears as a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, FOX, PBS, and others, and has contributed articles across a variety of publications.

David graduated with a BA in Economics from Yale University, and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He has lectured extensively at Wharton, Columbia, INSEAD, and New York University Business Schools, and for nine years, David served as a visiting member at Yale College, Yale School of Management, and Harvard Business School. He is a CFA Charterholder and a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts and the CFA Institute. 

Doug De Groote

Managing Director

Doug is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with an MBA in Financial Planning, and is an active member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Before establishing De Groote Financial Group, Doug founded the United Wealth Management division of United Capital. Prior to that, Doug was a partner at Crowell, Weedon and Co. He regularly contributes to a variety of financial and general media.

Doug’s passion, and what he believes, is that everyone deserves the opportunity; they deserve to have the freedom and responsibility to be pro-active in achieving independence and financial success.

Doug’s life is focused around his family, wife and three children, and making sure they get the foundation that is necessary for them to have the awareness of the opportunities that abound in our great country.

Doug helps increase his client’s awareness and success, to identify and take advantage of opportunities that present themselves and help protect them from some of the pitfalls or obstacles that are thrown in our paths. With regards to their financial circumstances, Doug helps his clients identify their goals, plan for various outcomes and manage their assets to help them make their vision a reality.