Economic Outlook - The current economic situation is not favorable, with expectations that it will worsen in the near future [2] - There is a significant concern regarding the impact of tariffs on inflation, with economists questioning their effectiveness [3][4] Tariffs and Manufacturing Jobs - The anticipated positive effects of tariffs on manufacturing jobs have not materialized, as manufacturing jobs have declined over the past year [9] - The overall trade deficit remains a concern, particularly in the context of a service-oriented economy where goods constitute less than 10% of GDP [10] Impact on Different Income Groups - Tariffs are viewed as regressive, disproportionately affecting lower-income individuals who spend a larger percentage of their income on goods [11][12] - The increase in jobs in the U.S. has primarily been in the healthcare sector, which is unrelated to tariff policies [12] Institutional Credibility - There is a noted decline in institutional credibility among economic advisors, particularly in the context of the Trump administration, which has affected the respect and trust within the economics profession [15][16] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - Concerns have been raised about the new Fed chairman's ability to operate independently from political pressures, particularly from Trump [17] - Statements regarding AI's impact on productivity and interest rates have been met with skepticism, as there is uncertainty about the pace at which AI will influence the macro economy [19]

President Donald Trump celebrated Presidents' Day by touting a cooling economy and record-low crime, even as financial markets show a stark divide between blue-chip gains and a struggling tech sector. Inflation Hits Eight-Month Low In a social media post early Monday, Trump declared that “Prices and Inflation are Way Down,” a claim supported by the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The annual inflation rate slowed to 2.4% in January 2026, dropping from 2.7% in December. This reading came in below t ...

PaeGAG / Shutterstock Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Cash is king, right? Well, not always. Sometimes you can have so much cash sitting around in your bank account that it turns into a wealth-devouring demon. On average, American families had about $62,410 in their checking accounts, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (1). For most people, that balance is simply higher than it should be. Top Picks In ...

Core Insights - Honeywell's planned separation into three companies has transitioned from a hypothesis to an operational reality, allowing for better strategic clarity and portfolio adjustments [1] - The aerospace segment is experiencing strong bookings, but growth is limited by the company's delivery capacity, which is expected to increase by approximately 12% to 14% per quarter [2] - Long-cycle project demand is strong, particularly in LNG and aerospace, with Honeywell's LNG business booked until late 2027 and early 2028 [3] - Weaker demand persists in petrochemical catalysts due to excess industry capacity, while long-cycle process activities in LNG and refining are seeing increased orders [4] - Building Automation remains robust, with strong demand in North America, although conditions are weaker in Europe and China [5] - Honeywell's momentum from 2025 is continuing into early 2026, with first-quarter performance aligning with recent guidance [6] Business Strategy - Honeywell aims to operate as a pure-play automation company within six months, with a target of achieving a 40% services and software aftermarket mix [6] - The company is focusing on new product introductions as a core growth strategy, with varying adoption cycles across segments [7] - Inflation is a significant factor affecting pricing, with persistent cost pressures in the range of 3% to 3.5% [8] - Honeywell is adapting its pricing strategy to address inflation directly with customers and is emphasizing productivity to avoid relying solely on price increases [9] Technological Developments - Progress at Quantinuum is supported by recent technological advancements, with a hardware platform launched that delivers 48 logical qubits [10] - Honeywell's increased customer engagement in Quantinuum is building confidence in its potential to operate independently [11] - The company owns 52% of Quantinuum, and an eventual exit could eliminate approximately $250 million in annual investment [12] Market Trends - Honeywell's preference for bolt-on M&A and comfort with carve-outs reflects a significant shift in its portfolio, with 15% of revenue exited and 15% added [13] - Data center demand is closely linked to Building Automation, with customers seeking greater standardization and faster execution [13] - Key structural forces shaping the next five years include persistent inflation and a shift from rule-based automation to autonomy [13]

Is Gold an Investment or a Safe-Haven Asset?It all comes down to whether you believe gold is an investment or a safe-haven asset. If I had asked you in late January, what would you have done if the Fed took one or two rate cuts off the board in 2026, you would have probably said that news was bearish and may have even taken profits in gold. Guess what, the Fed may have said that in some way on January 28 when it released its monetary policy statement and Fed Chair Powell spoke. The reaction: gold topped at ...

When it comes to the stock market, there are no guarantees. If you’ve invested in the stock market as part of your retirement planning strategy, it’s good to be prepared. This means knowing the signs of a potential market downturn (insofar as such things can be predicted) and finding other ways to protect your portfolio. Sure, the stock market has, according to the Official Data Foundation, had an average annual return of 10.56% over the past 70 years (in reality, it’s 6.71% adjusted for inflation). But ...

Walmart literally just out uh with results as we speak. Melissa Repco joins us. Scott, those numbers. >> Hey, Andrew. Walmart beat expectations for both sales and revenue for the holiday quarter as its business got a boost from e-commerce, advertising, and its third party marketplace. The company reported earnings per share of 74 cents compared to the 73 cents that Wall Street expected. It reported revenue of 190.66% billion compared to the 190.43% billion analysts expected. Its e-commerce sales in the US r ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart delivered another standout quarter as the promise of lower prices drew in a broader spectrum of Americans during the critical holiday shopping period, including wealthier households. The outlook from the Bentonville, Arkansas, company, however, hinted at a volatile economic environment ahead on Thursday. Shares dipped almost 3% before the opening bell. Walmart reported fourth quarter earnings of $4.24 billion, or 53 cents per share for the quarter ended Jan. 31. Adjusted per-sha ...

This REIT ETF has a couple of major upside catalysts in 2026.The State Street SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR 1.43%) aims to track the performance of real estate investment trusts (REITs). The exchange-traded fund (ETF) holds 100 REITs, providing investors with broad exposure to the entire sector. That makes it a potentially great way to play a rebound in the commercial real estate sector. Here's a look at two catalysts that could send shares of this top REIT ETF soaring. Long-term interest rates start to fall ...

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures declined on Thursday after a higher close on Wednesday, with all major benchmark indices showing lower futures [1] - The Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes revealed significant disagreements among officials regarding future interest rates, with some discussing potential rate increases to address persistent inflation [1] - Market participants are still anticipating two rate reductions by the end of the year, with a 94% likelihood of the Federal Reserve maintaining current interest rates in March according to CME Group's FedWatch tool [2] Index Performance - Dow Jones decreased by 0.12% - S&P 500 fell by 0.08% - Nasdaq 100 dropped by 0.08% - Russell 2000 declined by 0.24% [2] Stocks in Focus - DoorDash (DASH) is experiencing a weaker price trend across all time frames, despite a solid growth ranking [2] - eBay (EBAY) shows a stronger price trend in the short and medium terms but a weak long-term trend, with a moderate quality ranking [3] - Lockheed Martin (LMT) maintains a stronger price trend across all time frames but has a poor value ranking [4] - Interactive Strength Inc. (TRNR) gained 12.47% after announcing an acquisition of Ergatta, Inc., although it maintains a weaker price trend overall [6] - Walmart Inc. (WMT) fell by 1.50% as analysts expect quarterly earnings of 73 cents per share on revenue of $190.43 billion, while it maintains a strong price trend across all time frames [6] Sector Insights - Consumer discretionary, energy, and information technology sectors led the S&P 500's gains on Wednesday, while real estate and utilities sectors declined [7] Analyst Insights - Jeremy Siegel has a positive outlook on the U.S. economy, suggesting recent data supports the expansion of the bull market rather than its derailment [8] - He notes a "sweet spot" in the labor market with resilient jobless claims and a near-2% annual gain in weekly pay, improving consumer purchasing power [9] - Siegel argues that cooling inflation and rising real income provide the Federal Reserve with room to lower interest rates further [9] - He views market volatility due to "AI-driven disruption fears" as a typical reaction to technological changes, which he believes will ultimately enhance productivity and real incomes [10] - Siegel sees valuation support in the ongoing healthy market rotation towards non-tech sectors trading at reasonable multiples [10]