Key Insight: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said there is uncertainty about how the Iran war will affect the economy, but that the central bank’s monetary policy is well positioned to “wait and see” how conditions unfold. Expert Quote: “You have to carefully monitor inflation expectations, because a series of these supply shocks can lead […]
Powell says Fed cautious as Iran war drives inflation risks Read More »
Key Insight: Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said inflation pressures on goods and non-housing services remain elevated and that the Middle East conflict could add to the burden. Expert quote: “I would like to see evidence that goods and services price inflation is sustainably retreating before considering reducing the policy rate further, provided labor market
Fed’s Barr: No interest rate cuts until inflation is tamed Read More »
Key insight: Fed Gov. Stephen Miran said he is looking through the oil price shock and keeping his policy outlook unchanged, anticipating four 25 basis point cuts in 2026. Expert quote: “Looking 12 to 18 months out, there’s still not enough clarity to think that monetary policy itself should adjust in response to what’s happened.”
Fed’s Miran says oil shock unlikely to alter rate outlook yet Read More »
Ashley Thomas III has assumed the presidency of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) — the nation’s oldest and largest Black real estate organization — with an agenda focused on expanding homeownership access. Thomas, a housing policy and wealth equity strategist with more than 25 years of experience across real estate, lending and
NAREB president calls for ‘optimistic underwriting’ to expand homeownership Read More »
Key Insight: The U.S. involvement in the war with Iran has driven energy prices higher, a development economists say could add to inflation and reduce the likelihood of rate cuts this year. Expert quote: “I think the Fed is just going to sit on its hands quite happily because of what’s going on in Iran
Iran scrambles inflation signals as Fed mulls interest rates Read More »
Key insight: Fed Gov. Cook said artificial intelligence may already be influencing employment trends, pointing to lower demand for computer engineers as one potential sign of change. Expert quote: “It is very difficult to measure labor productivity and total factor productivity. So we should be patient and we should be nimble in thinking about the
Cook: AI’s labor impact may take years to measure Read More »
Key Insight: Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said inflation has not eased as quickly as previously forecast, underscoring the need for a cautious approach to interest rate cuts. Expert quote: “I remain optimistic that there can be more rate cuts this year. But that hinges on seeing actual progress on inflation that shows we are
Fed’s Goolsbee: Prioritize inflation before further cuts Read More »
Key Insight: Fed Gov. Christopher Waller highlighted his skepticism on whether the labor market is showing signs of recovery, or whether the January jobs report was a one-off. Expert Quote: “If the good labor market news of January is revised away or evaporates in February, it would support my position at the FOMC’s last meeting,
Waller questions January jobs surge, backs possible March cut Read More »
Key Insight: Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said the economy is currently ‘closest’ to a scenario in which AI gradually raises worker productivity without resulting in sweeping layoffs. Supporting data: Only 17% of firms currently use AI, according to a study cited by Barr. Forward look: Barr says policymakers must prepare for the worst, which
Fed’s Barr outlines AI risks to finance, labor market Read More »
Key Insight: Inflation showed signs of cooling in January, with the annual inflation rate dropping to 2.4%. Supporting data: Prices excluding food and fuel rose 0.3% in January, while food increased 0.2% and energy prices ticked down by 1.5%, the report found. Forward look: The January inflation reading remains slightly above the Fed’s longstanding 2%
Inflation cools to 2.4%, bolstering Fed’s cautious rate outlook Read More »