Despite the stock market's recent climb to record levels, a cloud of uncertainty is likely to overhang the U.S. economy and financial markets through the 2018-19 period. While several U.S. companies report substantial quarterly profits, other firms as well as key sectors of the domestic economy - for example, energy and some wage areas - still exhibit signs of weakness. Recent U.S. economic growth has been skewed towards large firms producing most of the GDP growth with lesser help from small business. In addition, the lack of inflationary pressures that would normally be present at this stage of recovery has sparked concern regarding U.S. financial markets in the months ahead. Uncertainty in European and Asian markets, combined with protracted resolution of U.S. employment and fiscal issues (including Health Care and Infrastructure) has further dampened the U.S. economic outlook.

For your Discussion, cite a current issue facing a U.S. firm or industry and relate how that company / industry is responding to that situation. For example, Health Care costs and / or Minimum Wage issues are plaguing a number of small to medium-sized firms. This contributes to negligible employment and sluggish economic growth. Other suggested topics include: Industry and Innovation; Unions vs. Non-Union labor trends; the Changing Auto Industry; Energy industry; Telecom industry; Banking; Technology; Cyber-hacking; Insurance; U.S. Infrastructure; Student debt; Transportation (particularly the U.S. Rail system and Trucking); Student debt and Higher Education; E-Commerce and its effect on Retailing; etc. Individual firms, such as Sears, Toys R Us, Snap Chat, Net Flix, Macy's, GE, etc. can be used as well.