Economy

Inflation up modestly in September; Fed on track for cut

Key insight: Inflation cooled slightly but continued upward in September, climbing 0.3% after August’s 0.4% gain. Supporting data: Prices rose 3.0% year over year, tracking with the increase in core CPI. Gasoline jumped 4.1%, while shelter rose 0.2%, its smallest gain since early 2021. Forward look: The results reinforce expectations that the Fed will proceed […]

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Many Americans ho-hum about new Fed rate cut, survey finds

For all of the handwringing from government officials and economists regarding whether the Federal Reserve will reduce short-term rates again this year, many Americans just don’t care, a Wallethub survey indicates. Most people are expecting the Federal Open Market Committee to cut further at its meeting on Oct. 28 and 29, plus making what would

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Is the Housing Market Going To Crash? Here’s What Experts Say

Is the Housing Market Going To Crash? Here’s What Experts Say

If you’ve seen headlines or social posts calling for a housing crash, it’s easy to wonder if home values are about to take a hit. But here’s the simple truth. The data doesn’t point to a crash. It points to slow, continued growth. And sure, it’s going to vary by local area. Some markets will

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Mortgage rates move lower, driven by shutdown uncertainties

Mortgage rates declined for the second week in a row, as the 10-year Treasury in recent days has flirted with falling below the 4% mark. Last Thursday, the 10-year closed at 4.15%. As of 11 a.m. on Aug. 16, it was at 4.04%, helped by recent comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell regarding both

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Fed’s Barr skeptical that inflation has been tamed

Key insight: Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said in a speech Thursday that he fears the way tariff price increases are being passed on to consumers could result in an unmooring of inflation expectations, potentially leading to more inflation — and higher interest rates — down the road. Expert quote: “While, in principle, tariffs are

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How mortgage rates have been affected by federal shutdown

The federal government shutdown and the resulting delay in the monthly employment report was the catalyst for the small movement in mortgage rates this past week. This data “would have been a key market mover for mortgage rates, offering insight into how much the Federal Reserve might adjust monetary policy in response to a cooling

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Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year

Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year

You want mortgage rates to fall – and they’ve started to. But is it going to last? And how low will they go? Experts say there’s room for rates to come down even more over the next year. And one of the leading indicators to watch is the 10-year treasury yield. Here’s why. The Link

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Jefferson signals cautionary stance on tariffs, labor and rate path

Key insight: Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson described a delicate balancing act, supporting moderate rate cuts to protect jobs while keeping long-term inflation under control. Supporting data: GDP growth slowed to 1.6% in the first half of 2025, and tariffs are nudging prices higher as long-term expectations remain anchored. Forward look: Jefferson emphasized durable inflation

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What banks need to know about this government shutdown

  What’s at stake: Mortgages requiring federal flood insurance will be more difficult to close during the shutdown, among other impacts.  Expert quote: For “financial services broadly, banks in particular, there are going to be disruptions.” — Brian Gardner, Stifel Financial Corp. Forward look: Extended shutdowns threaten federal worker pay and U.S. creditworthiness, potentially triggering

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Consumer confidence falls to five-month low on job concerns

US consumer confidence fell in September to a five-month low on growing concerns about job prospects and the broader economy. The Conference Board’s gauge of confidence decreased 3.6 points to 94.2, data released Tuesday showed. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a reading of 96. READ MORE: Mortgages with rates

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