Consumer confidence worsened slightly in August

Max Zahn, ABC News

The fresh reading followed a weak jobs report and sweeping new tariffs.

Crosscurrents

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

One of the challenges that comes from analyzing markets and the economy is just how much “gray” there is. Most data points exist along a noisy continuum, subject to future revisions. The meanderings above or below the trend may be just noise, or the start of …

The Fed Just Shifted On Inflation: What It Means For Your Portfolio

Robert Daugherty, Contributor, Robert Daugherty, Contributor https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertdaugherty/, Forbes

Fed shifts inflation policy and what it means for investors. Discover what it really means and why stocks remain the best hedge and wealth builder long term.

Crypto in Late 2025 and Beyond: What Powell’s Speech Signals for Rates, Inflation and Assets

Siamak Masnavi, AI Boost, CoinDesk

Powell’s Jackson Hole speech showed how the Fed is weighing inflation against jobs. That balance could shape policy in the fourth quarter of 2025 and beyond.

Powell’s next independence challenge: How to do what Trump has been asking for while preserving credibility

fortune.com, Biztoc.com

Now that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has signaled that the central bank could soon cut its key interest rate, he faces a new challenge: how to do it without seeming to cave to the White House’s demands. For months, Powell has largely ignored President…

Powell Tap Dances on Interest Rate Outlook as Stagflation Starts to Kick In

Yves Smith, Nakedcapitalism.com

Powell threw Mr. Market and Trump a bone by hinting the Fed might cut rates in Sept. But the Fed lacks good options with stagflation looming

US Fed Reserve Chair Powell opens door to September rate cut

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Powell's remarks offered little guidance about how soon or how quickly rates might continue to move lower.

Fed's Powell hints at possible September rate cut in his biggest speech of the year

Allie Kelly, Business Insider

In his keynote Jackson Hole address, Fed Chair Jerome Powell spoke about the job market, inflation, and the central bank's future outlook.

Fed Chair Powell to give major speech as Trump urges interest rate cuts

Max Zahn, ABC News

Eight months have elapsed since the Fed last adjusted interest rates.

Walmart scoops customers from rivals but warns inventory cost is rising

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Second-quarter results showed that the retailer has continued to benefit from price sensitivity among US consumers.

With Fed under pressure, Jerome Powell prepares for a high-stakes speech

Scott Horsley, NPR

The Fed chair will speak Friday at an annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The speech comes as the central bank is under mounting pressure from the White House to lower interest rates.

Is the IRS giving stimulus checks in 2025? How to track my stimulus check status update

Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK, The News Journal

Are we getting a stimulus check 2025? Here's status update on Trump's $600 rebate stimulus checks, how to track IRS refund by social security number

I’m an Economist: Here’s When Tariff Price Hikes Will Start Hitting Your Wallet

Gabrielle Olya, Yahoo Entertainment

An economist explained why U.S. prices haven’t surged yet -- and when tariffs will start raising costs for consumers in America.

Rising Food Prices Are Likely to Continue, Thanks to Trump’s Trade Wars

Peter Wade, Rolling Stone

Wholesale prices on fresh and dry vegetables rose nearly 40 percent, and soon consumers will feel the pinch

'The risk that's on our doorstep': July inflation data has economists on edge

finance.yahoo.com, Biztoc.com

US consumers back in focus as retailers get earnings ready

Bloomberg, The Times of India

Wall Street anticipates key earnings reports from major retailers like Walmart and Target to gauge consumer health amidst Trump's tariffs, weak job growth, and inflation. While retailers have largely protected margins, the full tariff impact looms, potentiall…

Fed Expected To Cut Interest Rates, Though Inflation May Be Picking Up

Simon Moore, Senior Contributor, Simon Moore, Senior Contributor https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmoore/, Forbes

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates in September, but there are signs inflation might be starting to pick up setting up a challenge for policymakers.

Republicans say price report is a boon; Democrats say bust. Who’s right?

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Republicans highlight the positives, Democrats the negatives in latest US CPI report; experts say the data is mixed.

The Fed is meeting. Don't expect an interest rate cut

Catherine Baab, Quartz India

While inflation has cooled in recent months, it remains above the Fed’s 2% target and has remained persistently elevated for years