This week on Inside the Economy, we discuss the housing market, consumer debt, and the current job market. Consumer spending is up right alongside total household debt, which has hit record highs for both housing and other loans. With mortgage late payments ticking up just a bit and foreclosures staying well below levels seen during the 2008 financial crisis, what does this higher level of…
This week on Inside the Economy, we explore consumer spending, interest rates, world markets, and where oil stands today. Recent data shows consumer spending continues to be elevated while wage increases are slowing, with wage earners feeling the pressure. Households earning $125,000 or less are beginning to experience greater financial strain, but is this a temporary squeeze or could it be the…
This week on Inside the Economy, we discuss the overall consumer resilience, the S&P 500, and potential implications for investors. New home inventory has climbed steadily back up to nearly 500,000 units, marking a significant recovery from the historic lows seen a decade ago. Are we finally seeing enough increase in supply to help ease buyer competition, or is inventory still missing the mark?…
This week on Inside the Economy, we address what the future may hold for the economy following a period of strong market performance. Strong corporate earnings have helped drive the markets, but new money entering the markets has also played an important role. Where is some of that money being invested? Real disposable income has recently turned negative following a surge in inflation. What short…
This week on Inside the Economy, we dive into the shifting dynamics of consumer spending, housing, capital markets, and global trade. Data shows that retail and gasoline spending have surged to become major drivers of year-over-year spending growth, pushing total monthly growth toward the 6% mark in early 2026 alongside steady services spending. Where would our economic growth stand without these…
This week on Inside the Economy, we examine jobs and spending, inflation, and economies outside the United States. Since 2020, hiring demand has increased across the South and in parts of the country such as Idaho, while many Western states have experienced a decline. At the same time, new job creation remains strong. Are there any potential warning signs or anomalies behind the recent uptick in…
This week on Inside the Economy, we explore inflation, interest rates, Venezuela and other trading partners. U.S. inflation accelerated in April, likely driven by continued increases in gasoline prices, groceries, rent, airfare, and other everyday expenses. As inflation pressures persist, small businesses may feel a greater financial strain than larger corporations. New data highlights which…
This week on Inside the Economy, we explore personal income, S&P 500 profit and earnings growth, and world oil inventories. New data for disposable personal income shows a jump in income, most likely due to government employees returning to work. Personal outlays also increased in February and March, but what might be driving the rise in spending? On the employment front, the market continues to…
This week on Inside the Economy, we assess the cost of living, impact from the Iran conflict, and global markets including global trade. Consumer spending remains positive, yet the pace is beginning to slow alongside a pullback in credit card usage, what could be causing this shift, and could we expect this trend to continue? Historically, wage growth has often differed between high-skilled and…
This week on Inside the Economy, we assess consumer spending, home pricing, and the outlook for the S&P 500. Amid the Iranian conflict, oil prices have increased, but has this impacted consumer spending? Higher-income households have seen after-tax wage growth rise to 5.6% year-over-year; how does that compare to lower-income households? Additionally, according to the Affordability Price Index,…