Oil Back Above $100: Why Energy Inflation Could Keep Rates High
Oil just jumped back above $100, with Brent hitting its highest settlement since April after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia. But the real risk isn't the gas pump. It's what a sustained energy shock does to inflation expectations, and what the Fed might do about it. Here's how a barrel of crude reaches your borrowing costs, and what to watch when the Fed decides on October 28.
Jobless Claims Near 57-Year Low: Why Low Layoffs Keep Rates High
Layoff headlines are everywhere, yet U.S. jobless claims just fell to 194,000, near a 57-year low. The catch: hiring is stalled, and a job market that isn't firing gives the Fed room to keep fighting inflation. Here's what that means for your mortgage, your credit card, and your business loan, and what to watch when the Fed decides on October 28.
The Fed Just Hiked for the First Time in 3+ Years, and the Real Signal Is What Comes Next
The Fed just raised rates for the first time in more than 3 years, but the hike isn't the real story. With 16 of 18 policymakers projecting another hike by year-end, markets are repricing the whole path. The 2-year yield jumped, the Dow slid, and the Nasdaq held firm. The next test comes when bond markets reopen today.