Markets closed lower yesterday as U.S. consumer confidence dipped to its lowest level since 2022, largely attributed to persistent inflationary pressure. The recent GDP growth numbers revealed a slowdown, with the economy expanding at its slowest pace in nearly two years. In the first quarter of 2024, the U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 1.6%, down from 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and below the projected 2.5%. This deceleration can be attributed to prior rate hikes by the Fed. However, desp ...