Core Viewpoint - The holiday shopping season is expected to see a year-over-year sales increase of 4% to 5%, driven by consumer spending and inflation effects [1][2]. Consumer Spending - Consumer sales have consistently grown by 4% year-over-year, indicating strong consumer resilience [1]. - Real wages have risen faster than inflation, allowing consumers to continue spending [1]. Economic Dynamics - The current economic situation does not reflect a K-shaped recovery; instead, both high-income and low-income consumers are experiencing growth, albeit at different rates [1]. - The stock market has benefited the wealthy, but they tend to reinvest rather than spend, contrasting with lower-income consumers who are actively spending [1]. Home Improvement Retailers - Home Depot and Lowe's are facing challenges due to high interest rates and a slowdown in large home improvement projects, despite some activity in smaller projects [1][2]. - The outlook for Home Depot indicates a slow growth trajectory for the upcoming year, as stated in their earnings analyst meeting [2].

by the CME with the news and the number. >> Yes. Jobless claims uh for the week of December 20th and that's ending December 20th on initial claims.214,000 well below the 225,000 we're expecting 214,000 would be the lowest since well the last week in November when it was 192,000 and that was the lowest going back to 22 at 189 which was the lowest since the 1960s. So we are definitely under 225ish are considered ultra low. And if we look at continuing claims after a couple of weeks of being under 1.9% million ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of money market account (MMA) rates, highlighting the importance of earning competitive rates as interest rates decline following recent Federal Reserve rate cuts [1][5]. Group 1: Current MMA Rates - The national average interest rate for money market accounts is 0.58%, while top rates can exceed 4% APY, comparable to high-yield savings accounts [2]. - Quontic Bank currently offers the highest MMA rate at 4.25%, which is over seven times the national average [8]. Group 2: Impact of Federal Reserve Actions - Money market account rates are closely tied to the federal funds rate set by the Federal Reserve, which influences deposit account rates [3]. - Between July 2023 and September 2024, the Fed maintained a target range of 5.25%–5.50%, but subsequently cut the federal funds rate by a total of 100 basis points, leading to a decline in money market rates [4]. Group 3: Future Rate Expectations - Rates are expected to continue declining following the Fed's recent cuts, suggesting that savers may have limited time to take advantage of higher rates [5]. Group 4: Considerations for Savers - Money market accounts provide a balance of safety, liquidity, and better returns than traditional savings accounts, making them an attractive option for savers [6]. - Factors to consider when choosing a money market account include liquidity needs, savings goals, and risk tolerance [7]. Group 5: Safety of Money Market Accounts - Money market accounts are considered safe as long as they are opened with federally insured banks or credit unions, protecting against market risk [10].

Asian markets are mostly higher after the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 closed at another record high following a report that the U.S. economy grew at a 4.3% annual rate in July to SeptemberA person walks in front of a chart showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)HONG KONG -- Asian markets mostly advanced Wednesday after the benchmark S & P 500 closed at another record high following a report that the U.S. economy grew at an unexpectedly strong 4 ...

For more, let's bring in Joe Leavia, counselor to the secretary of the Treasury Department. Joe, great to have you with us. Would you do you agree with that sentiment.>> I do. I mean, the thing is the GDP numbers, which we could get into, were fantastic, was all private sector led, but what struck me, Melissa, is the profound weakness in the interests sectors of the economy such as structures and residential. Structures, which are factories, by the way, they'll get a huge lift with the tax bill.uh 2026 shou ...

The roaring 20s are alive and well. That according to our next guest, Ed Yard Denny. He's the president of Yard Denny Research.He joins us now. It's good to see you. So, we were just a little delayed on the roaring 20s, maybe thanks to co and here we are about to regroup.>> Well, I think we've been doing pretty well since uh since the beginning of the of the decade. I mean, think of all the uh shocks that the economy has been hit by the pandemic, the lockdowns for two months. Uh then the social distancing, ...

Headline though, GDP much stronger than expected, 4-3, highest read since Q3 of 2023. You know, Josh, I I wonder what this does to the thinking on rates. Torstston at Apollo says long-term interest rates will remain higher for longer.Investors should plan accordingly. Deutsche Bank today ratchet higher for yields is a significant story. I mean, we've been talking about and gaming out and planning for a rate cut in early 26.What if the Fed takes a hawkish tilt. I mean, do investors need to rethink this whole ...

Talk a little bit about why you think we saw such a surge first in gold and now more recently silver, which is now outpacing gold. Is that all pretty much an issue of what's been going on with the macro side of the economy, all that, what's been going on with interest rates. Well, I think the two components great to be with you, by the way.One is fundamental and one is more human nature. The on the fundamental side, the one aspect I think that's been underreported is that when trade is impeded, when a wrenc ...

Let's get the bond report. Rick Santelli has more on how the markets are reacting to all of these crossurrens. Rick, what can you tell us.>> Well, you know, I like the way the charts tell a picture. If you look at twos and tens when the number was released, a couple things should jump out at you. The twos definitely seem to be more aggressive in holding the upside.I don't think that's for any big reasons to explain the Fed or uh acknowledge percentages and probabilities. I think it's purely the next chart w ...

It was scary because the U.S. stock market plunged to several historic drops on worries about everything from President Donald Trump's tariffs to interest rates to a possible bubble in artificial-intelligence technology. In the end, though, it was a great year for anyone with the stomach to stick through the swings.S&P 500 index funds, which sit at the heart of many savers' 401(k) accounts, returned more than 18% in 2025 through Dec. 11 and set a record high that day. It's their third straight year of big r ...