A majority of economists are betting the U.S. Federal Reserve will reduce its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point at the December 9–10 policy meeting, even as divisions persist among policymakers over whether the world’s largest economy truly needs further easing. According to a Reuters poll of 108 economists conducted from November 28 …
Bank of America (BofA) has raised its return target as part of a new strategy to close the gap with Wall Street leaders. CEO Brian Moynihan announced the plan at the bank’s first investor day since 2011, signalling a renewed push to improve performance and capture more market share. BofA now aims to deliver a …
The average interest rate on the most popular U.S. home loan has dropped to its lowest level in over a year, following softer inflation data that reinforced expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell by seven basis points to 6.30% …
More than 75 million Americans receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will see their monthly payments rise by 2.8% in 2026, marking the first time in three years that the annual adjustment has outpaced the previous year’s increase. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on Friday, shortly after …
In a sign of shifting priorities at the world’s most powerful central bank, the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates twice more before year-end, a move analysts say reflects mounting concern over a slowing job market despite persistent inflation. According to a survey, out of 117 economists, 115 expect the Fed to …
The U.S. Federal Reserve is preparing for its next policy meeting under an unusual cloud of uncertainty, with the ongoing government shutdown halting key economic data releases and leaving policymakers without a clear picture of the economy’s health. Official employment figures have not been published since the shutdown began on October 1, while limited private …
America’s small businesses are bracing for a rough patch. According to new data released by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), confidence among U.S. small business owners fell sharply in September, as inflation worries, tariff pressures, and growing policy uncertainty weighed heavily on Main Street. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped 2.0 points …
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday delivered his final speech before the Fed’s upcoming policy meeting, navigating a U.S. economy torn between strong growth, rising productivity, and mounting inflation risks. The address comes as policymakers grapple with incomplete economic data amid a U.S. government shutdown that has delayed the September jobs report and other …
The Bank of England (BoE) has warned that global financial markets could face a sharp correction if investor confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) prospects or the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve weakens. In its latest Financial Policy Committee (FPC) report, the BoE noted that U.S. stock valuations are nearing levels last seen during the …
U.S. consumer spending rose more than expected in August, driven by vacations, dining out, and higher demand for services, keeping the economy on solid ground even as inflation picked up. The Commerce Department reported Friday that household consumption, which makes up over two-thirds of economic activity, climbed by 0.6% after a 0.5% gain in July. …
