Global bond yields have risen to highs last seen in 2009 ahead of a key Federal Reserve policy meeting, signaling concerns that interest-rate cutting cycles from the US to Australia may be ending soon. Yields on a Bloomberg gauge of long-dated government bonds have returned to 16-year highs, with money market bets underscoring that sentiment. Traders are now pricing virtually no more rate cuts from the European Central Bank, while betting on an all-but-certain hike this month in Japan and two quarter-poin ...

Core Insights - Hormel Foods is implementing a multiyear Transform and Modernization initiative to mitigate margin pressures in fiscal 2025, which ended on October 26 [3][4] - The initiative aims to transform the supply chain and reduce portfolio complexity, resulting in increased distribution capacity and optimized manufacturing footprint [3] - Hormel anticipates that the initiative will continue to alleviate inflationary pressures and support margin expansion in fiscal 2026, although specific savings from the program will no longer be reported separately [4] Financial Performance - In fiscal 2025, Hormel faced elevated pork and beef prices, with cost inflation for pork bellies, pork cutout, and pork trim rising by 25%, 10%, and 20% respectively [8] - Beef prices also saw significant increases throughout the year, impacting the company's margins despite pricing actions taken at various times [8] Supply Chain Challenges - Beef costs are expected to remain high and pose challenges throughout fiscal 2026, while pork input costs are projected to decline but remain above the five-year average [5] - Turkey supplies are anticipated to remain constrained through the first half of 2026 due to avian flu [5][8] - Tyson Foods is also experiencing supply challenges, relying on value-added products and operational efficiencies to navigate reduced hog and cattle supplies [6]

Asian shares are mostly lower, trading in a narrow range ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting that’s expected to result in the third cut to interest rates this yearCurrency traders watch monitors near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)TOKYO -- Asian shares were mostly lower, trading in a narrow range ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting later W ...

Egyptian inflation slightly slowed even after a cut in fuel subsidies https://t.co/Wp01sxFidY ...

Economy & Inflation - President Trump claims to be rapidly bringing down high prices and crushing inflation, while increasing wages and boosting the stock market and 401ks [2][3] - The report suggests that many Americans, specifically three out of five, are unhappy with the current economic situation [2] - Voters in Pennsylvania are reportedly disappointed with the state of the economy and pessimistic about the Republican-controlled Washington's ability to improve it [9] - Some voters are experiencing prices that are double or at least one and a half times what they used to be, with no perceived help from Washington [9] Political Landscape & Elections - Pennsylvania is highlighted as a crucial swing state, having flipped between Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020 [2][7] - The political climate in a swingy section of Pennsylvania indicates that Republicans would be in trouble if key congressional races were held at the time of the report [8] - President Trump is making a case directly to voters in Pennsylvania, attempting to convince them that his policies are beneficial [2][11] Policy & Legislation - President Trump is arguing that his policies, including those passed in a tax and border bill, will help put money in Americans' pockets, potentially by early next year [6] - The Trump administration is reportedly ending the Biden-era student loan repayment plan, which was created for the lowest-income borrowers [11][12] - The student loan repayment plans were controversial due to being implemented via executive order without congressional approval, allowing a successor to reverse them [13]

Economy & Inflation - President Trump claims to be rapidly bringing down high prices and crushing inflation, while increasing wages and boosting the stock market and 401ks [2][3] - The report indicates that many Americans, specifically three out of five, are unhappy with the current economic situation [2] - Voters in Pennsylvania are disappointed with the economy and pessimistic about the Republican-controlled Washington's ability to improve it [9] - Some voters are experiencing prices that are double or at least one and a half times what they used to be, with no perceived help from Washington [9] Political Strategy & Swing State - President Trump is focusing on the economy and affordability in his campaign-style rally in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state [1][2] - The President believes he is being unfairly blamed for high prices and attributes the price spikes to Democrats and former President Joe Biden [5] - Pennsylvania is described as a super important swing state that Trump flipped in 2016 after Biden won it back in 2020 [7] - Republicans could be in trouble in key congressional races in swingy sections of Pennsylvania if elections were held today [8] Policy & Executive Action - Some of President Trump's policies, including those in the tax and border bill, are argued to potentially help put money in Americans' pockets, possibly by early next year [6] - The Trump administration is reportedly ending the Biden-era student loan repayment plan, which was created via executive order [11][12] - The student loan repayment plans, designed for the lowest-income borrowers, are being unwound because they were initially implemented without congressional approval [12][13]

And let's head out to Pennsylvania where President Trump just wrapped a campaign style rally focused on economy affordability. And when it comes to the economy, the president gave himself top marks. >> I wonder what grade you would give.>> A+ A+. >> Yeah. A+ plus.>> But Americans, well, the polls right now are showing about three out of five people are not happy with the way it's going. And now he is making his case directly to voters in the ultra important swing state of Pennsylvania. Here's what what he s ...

So, President Trump is in Pennsylvania to talk about the economy and the report card though that he's giving his own economy is A+ plus. >> I wonder what grade you would give >> A+ A+. >> Yeah, A++.>> But talking to folks on the ground, including a great many of his biggest supporters, they're not quite grading on the same curve. What report card would you give the current economy. >> The current economy got a D. A >> D.I'd give it um All right. >> B plus. What report card would you do.>> C minus. >> I thin ...

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market rose to the edge of its record on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut its main interest rate to bolster the job market, and hopes strengthened for more cuts to come in 2026. The S&P 500 climbed 0.7% and finished just shy of its all-time high, which was set in October. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 497 points, or 1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they can boost the economy and send prices for investmen ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve (Fed) must remain nonpartisan and focused on monetary policy, avoiding political influences and actions that could be perceived as favoring one party over another [1][3][9]. Group 1: Federal Reserve's Role and Conduct - The Fed's primary responsibility is to conduct monetary policy without engaging in political matters, as emphasized by past practices of former Chair Alan Greenspan [3][9]. - Recent actions by the Fed, such as interest rate cuts before elections, have raised concerns about perceived partisanship [1][9]. - The Fed's communication regarding non-monetary issues, like tariffs, has been criticized for straying from its core functions [1][4]. Group 2: Staffing and Research Focus - There is a need for the Fed to evaluate its staffing levels and ensure that research efforts are aligned with its core monetary policy functions [6][8]. - The effectiveness of the Fed's economic forecasting has been questioned, suggesting a potential need for new models and researchers to improve accuracy [15][14]. - The current number of economists at the Fed has been deemed excessive, indicating a need for downsizing to enhance focus and effectiveness [6][14]. Group 3: Economic Outlook and Inflation - The economy is experiencing a significant increase in aggregate supply, which is expected to exert downward pressure on prices, potentially allowing for further rate cuts [22][23]. - Industrial production and capital expenditures have shown a notable increase, with a reported 9.1% gain over the past year [25]. - Lower energy prices, particularly oil, have contributed to a decrease in grocery prices by 14% since March, indicating a broader deflationary trend [27][28]. Group 4: Impact of AI and Job Market - The introduction of AI is anticipated to enhance productivity without leading to massive job losses, as historical trends suggest that new technologies create new job opportunities [30][33]. - The current economic environment is characterized by growth, with expectations that AI will serve as a tool to improve worker efficiency rather than displace jobs [33][34].