The One Big Beautiful Bill Act could boost virtual health care investment. This and more in this week’s trend watch. … READ MORE >
USA
The Fed holds rates steady as two board members dissent
The OMC held its policy rate in a range between 4.25% and 4.5% on Wednesday as it slightly opened the door to a rate cut this fall., … READ MORE >
Back-to-school outlook: Tariffs’ influence on consumer behavior
The back-to-school season serves as a bellwether for how consumers are adapting to tariff pressures and economic uncertainty. … READ MORE >
GDP grew by 3% in second quarter, but underlying data suggests a rate closer to 1%
Once one excludes the more volatile trade and inventory data, growth advanced at a much softer pace of 1.2% implied by final sales to private domestic purchasers. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: Spending slowing as consumers navigate uncertainty
We expect a 0.3% increase in personal spending in June as consumers increase outlays following the 0.1% decline in May. … READ MORE >
Tariff pause buoys trade data amid warning signs in labor and spending
A sharp narrowing of the goods trade deficit in June will most likely provide a boost to second-quarter gross domestic product, but the headline number masks underlying economic fragility. Labor market activity slowed notably during the month, and signs of weakening consumer demand suggest more turbulence ahead, even as confidence … … READ MORE >
Market Minute: Stagflation and dissent at the FOMC
We expect the federal funds rate to remain in a range between 4.25% and 4.5% at the FOMC meeting this week and we do not expect Chairman Jerome Powell to imply that a September rate cut is in the cards either. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: The widening gap between equities and the real economy
Equities have become priced to perfection recently, fueled by bank and tech earnings that have exceeded expectations. … READ MORE >
Volatile capital spending reflects tariff turbulence
Core business spending on equipment had another month of volatility, with orders falling by a sizable 0.7% in June. … READ MORE >
Market Minute: Private domestic demand excluding trade and inventories will point the way on GDP
U.S. growth in the second quarter most likely advanced at a 2.5% rate following the 0.5% contraction in the first quarter of the year. … READ MORE >