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Inflation

Jefferson signals cautionary stance on tariffs, labor and rate path

Economy, Inflation, Monetary policy, Politics and policy /

Key insight: Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson described a delicate balancing act, supporting moderate rate cuts to protect jobs while keeping long-term inflation under control. Supporting data: GDP growth slowed to 1.6% in the first half of 2025, and tariffs are nudging prices higher as long-term expectations remain anchored. Forward look: Jefferson emphasized durable inflation […]

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What we know about the labor market, even without Jobs Friday data

Federal Reserve, Housing Market, Inflation, Jobs Report /

Jobs week ended with an eerie silence, as the government remains shut down and we didn’t receive the last two major reports for the week. Given that job growth has been slowing dramatically this year, it’s time to examine what is really going on.  For me, the situation is straightforward: over the past 24 months,

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Help exists for cash-strapped homebuyers — but many don’t know it

Affordability, Appraisal Institute, Covid-19, Down Payment Assistance, First-Time Homebuyers, Home Prices, Homebuying, Housing Market, HWmember, Inflation, Mortgage Rates, National Association of Realtors /

As home prices and mortgage rates continue to stretch budgets, many would-be homebuyers are wondering if they’ll ever be able to make the jump. Industry professionals say that creative financing tools and professional guidance can make homeownership more attainable, but a lack of awareness continues to stand in the way. Three voices from different corners

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Household income climbs in some big cities, outweighed by inflation in others

Affordability, California, Data & Visuals, Florida, Home Price Appreciation, Home Prices, Housing Market, HWmember, Inflation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SmartAsset, Tampa /

Household income in the U.S. rose slightly in 2024, but the picture looks very different depending on where you live. The national median income reached $83,730 last year, up 1.3% from 2023, according to a new report from online fintech company SmartAsset. That modest increase failed to keep pace with the roughly 3% inflation rate,

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Fed cuts rates by 25 bps as inflation lingers, labor market weakens 

Employment, Federal Reserve, HWmember, Inflation, Jerome Powell, LendingLife, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Regulatory /

The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, setting the target range at 4% to 4.25%. The first cut since December 2024 marks a new phase in the central bank’s effort to balance maximum employment and stable prices. Economists say it could usher in an easing cycle with direct

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Mortgage rates hit new 2025 low as jobless claims spike

Housing Market, HWmember, Inflation, Jobs Report, Mortgage Rates /

Mortgage rates have reached a new low for 2025, despite the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation being well above the target and showing a stronger increase in the core goods component. Why are mortgage rates at 6.27%? Jobless claims experienced a significant spike today, which suggests that the labor market may not be as strong

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Mortgage rate declines are anchored to an expected Fed cut

Federal Reserve, HWmember, Inflation, Jobs Report, LendingLife, Monetary policy, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Rates Center /

With the next interest rate decision from Federal Reserve monetary policymakers just over a week away, mortgage rates have continued their downward trajectory as many lenders and investors have priced in a cut. But the markets will need to navigate one more inflation report before the Fed’s Sept. 17 meeting. On Tuesday at HousingWire’s Mortgage

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Treasuries end four-day run of gains as focus turns to inflation

Federal Reserve, Inflation, Treasurys /

(Bloomberg) — Treasuries slipped, snapping a four-day winning streak, as investors braced for inflation readings this week which may show that ongoing price pressures could stand in the way of US interest-rate cuts. Yields rose by two to three basis points across maturities, with the 10- and 30-year tenors climbing from the lowest levels in

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Mortgage rates drop to another new low for 2025

Housing Market, HWmember, Inflation, Jerome Powell, Mortgage Rates /

Mortgage rates reached a new 2025 low today, despite core inflation running at 3.1% year over year, according to the CPI report this week. The softening labor data and improved mortgage spreads currently overshadow any concerns about inflation. If the jobs data were exceeding estimates, the situation would be different. According to Mortgage News Daily,

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Social Security COLA could rise to 2.7% in 2026

HWmember, Inflation, Mortgage, Reverse, Reverse Mortgage Daily, Social Security, Social Security Administration /

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits could rise to 2.7% in 2026, up from this year’s 2.5%, according to estimates from The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). The COLA is based on the average Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) for July, August and September, compared with the same

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