Economy News

Economic news covering Fed interest rate decisions, inflation data, jobs reports, GDP growth, and macroeconomic trends affecting the stock market.

State Pension to Hit £13k, But Tax Relief Promise Falls Short
Economy Daniel Marsh

State Pension to Hit £13k, But Tax Relief Promise Falls Short

The UK State Pension is set to exceed £13,000 next April, but the government's tax relief pledge is narrower than expected, leaving many pensioners exposed.

EWU
TUC Chief Joins Bank of England Board, Not Rate-Setting Panel
Economy Daniel Marsh

TUC Chief Joins Bank of England Board, Not Rate-Setting Panel

Paul Nowak joins the Bank of England's Court, but not the MPC, so he won't vote on rates. His appointment doesn't affect the upcoming September decision.

EWU
Fed Signals Rates to Stay Near 4.1% Through 2027
Economy Daniel Marsh

Fed Signals Rates to Stay Near 4.1% Through 2027

The Fed's latest projections show rates holding near 4.1% through 2027, a more restrictive path than previously expected, pressuring bonds and rate-sensitive stocks.

SPY QQQ
Federal Grant Freezes Top $177B, Savings Claims Unverified
Economy Daniel Marsh

Federal Grant Freezes Top $177B, Savings Claims Unverified

A new tracker reports $177B in disrupted federal grants, but savings remain unverified. GAO review found only 3.8% of DOGE savings substantiated, raising investor concerns.

EFA IWM SPY XLU
GAO Puts $6.7B Price Tag on Deferred Resignation Leave
Economy Daniel Marsh

GAO Puts $6.7B Price Tag on Deferred Resignation Leave

The GAO estimates $6.7B in paid leave costs for the deferred resignation program, but cannot confirm net savings. OPM projects $20B annual savings.

SPY
ING Lifts Fixed Mortgage Rates by 20bps Ahead of RBA Decision
Economy Daniel Marsh

ING Lifts Fixed Mortgage Rates by 20bps Ahead of RBA Decision

ING raises fixed mortgage rates by 20bps as RBA decision looms. Citi sees peak at 4.85%. Borrowers face higher costs.

ING
UK Inflation Surges to 3.1% on Fuel Costs, Core Prices Stable
Economy Daniel Marsh

UK Inflation Surges to 3.1% on Fuel Costs, Core Prices Stable

UK inflation rose to 3.1% in August, but core inflation stayed flat, suggesting the Bank of England may hold rates on Thursday.

GLD SLV USO UNG XLE XLF XLK
Japan's August Trade Gap Quadruples as Oil Costs Outpace Chip Boom
Economy Daniel Marsh

Japan's August Trade Gap Quadruples as Oil Costs Outpace Chip Boom

Japan's August trade deficit quadrupled to ¥1.106 trillion as energy import costs soared, while chip exports surged 52.3%. The BOJ meets next week.

EWJ FXI USO
Australian Retirement Costs Hit Record A$78,998 as Energy Bills Surge
Economy Daniel Marsh

Australian Retirement Costs Hit Record A$78,998 as Energy Bills Surge

Australia's comfortable retirement budget has climbed to A$78,998 for couples and A$56,166 for singles, driven by a 22.4% jump in electricity prices.

EWA
UK Wage Growth Cools, but Gilt Yields Stay Elevated on Oil Spike
Economy Daniel Marsh

UK Wage Growth Cools, but Gilt Yields Stay Elevated on Oil Spike

UK private-sector pay growth slowed to 2.9%, but 10-year gilt yields near 5.4% on oil-driven inflation concerns ahead of BoE decision.

EWU USO GLD
Mortgage Rate Divergence: Daily Index Hits 7.22%, Weekly Average at 6.76%
Economy Daniel Marsh

Mortgage Rate Divergence: Daily Index Hits 7.22%, Weekly Average at 6.76%

Mortgage shoppers face conflicting rate headlines: daily index at 7.22% vs weekly average 6.76%. Here's why both are accurate and what it means for borrowers.

SPY
NY Energy Rebate Checks Mailing Sept. 21; Not Utility Credits
Economy Daniel Marsh

NY Energy Rebate Checks Mailing Sept. 21; Not Utility Credits

New York will mail $1 billion in energy-rebate checks starting Sept. 21, with up to $200 for eligible households. The state-funded payments are not utility credits and won't directly reduce past-due balances at Con Edison (ED).

ED