Corporate bankruptcies are rising in 2025, nearing a 15-year high, S&P reports. This year, we've seen numerous notable bankruptcies, including Spirit Airlines and Claire's. How bad is it? We break down the trends in 3 charts. If you watch the news, you have undoubtedly seen the stories of well-known companies closing stores or raising doubts about their ability to continue operating. Earlier this month, S&P's data tracking company seemed to confirm our worst fears, reporting that 2025 bankruptcies ...

Market Outlook - The market has been volatile and news-driven, especially in the AI space [2] - Market conditions are strong towards the end of the year and potentially through February [3] - Hedge funds have shown significant buying volume [4] - The market may experience low volatility due to the absence of major news cycles [4] - A Federal Reserve rate cut is anticipated, with Fed funds futures indicating an 86% chance [5] - The market is expected to perform well over the next four to five months [5] - GDP growth is expected to be around 2% [16] Investment Strategy - Investors should be mindful of market rotation, with value areas like financials, energy, and healthcare showing relative strength [9][10] - Technology stocks, while still showing growth, may need to consolidate [11] - Investors should avoid unprofitable tech names and meme stocks [11] - Metals are viewed positively, despite expected volatility [14] - Energy plays can satisfy both the AI growth story and the natural resources value story [15] Potential Risks and Considerations - The second year of a presidential cycle historically sees a correction, typically starting in mid-March [13] - Tax cuts and deregulation may mitigate the typical weakness in the second year of a presidential cycle [14] - The economy has "ankle weights" and will experience news-driven events that create volatility [17]

Economic Analysis - The claim that moving from blue states to red states can reduce inflation by 0.5% is questioned, with no state-level analysis from the Council of Economic Advisers supporting this assertion [1][2] - Rising living costs have been exacerbated by President Trump's tariffs, which have intensified financial pressures on Americans [4] - An independent study suggests that metro areas with more Republican and independent voters experienced higher inflation in 2022 compared to areas with more Democrats [5] Inflation Insights - Inflation has increased to 3% from 2% in April, particularly affecting staple goods like coffee and bacon [3] - The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis indicates that the purchasing power of $100 in 2025 is equivalent to $12.05 in 1970, highlighting the long-term erosion of dollar value [7] Investment Opportunities - Gold has surged over 50% in price over the past year, with predictions from industry leaders like JPMorgan's CEO suggesting it could reach $10,000 per ounce [9] - Real estate remains a strong asset during inflationary periods, with the S&P Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rising by 45% over the past five years [12] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow investors to participate in real estate with minimal investment and without the burdens of property management [14][15] Alternative Assets - Art is emerging as a valuable investment class, with platforms like Masterworks enabling fractional ownership of high-value artworks, making it accessible to a broader range of investors [19][21]

The chance that Colombia will need to start raising interest rates has increased in recent weeks as the inflation outlook soured, according to a senior central banker https://t.co/TauKkjp8lJ ...

Market Overview - Wall Street is attempting to rebound after volatility in October and November, but concerns over high inflation, economic health, and uncertainty regarding a Federal Reserve rate cut in December persist [1] - Consumer confidence remains low, which could lead to further market volatility [2] Consumer Sentiment - Consumer sentiment declined to a record low of 51 in November, down from 53.6 in October, representing a 29% year-over-year decrease [3] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points in September and October, but high inflation remains a concern, complicating potential future cuts [4] - A shrinking labor market raises fears of a slowing economy, with expectations that the Federal Reserve may cautiously approach rate cuts in 2026 [4] Impact of Tariffs - President Trump's tariffs have increased commodity prices, leading consumers to reduce spending ahead of the holiday season, which may contribute to prolonged market volatility [5] Dividend-Paying Stocks - Cautious investors may consider dividend-paying stocks for steady income and capital protection amid market uncertainty [2] - Three notable stocks include: - **Orange County Bancorp, Inc. (OBT)**: Announced a dividend of $0.18 per share with a yield of 1.90%, having increased dividends four times in the past five years [6][7] - **Dillard's, Inc. (DDS)**: Declared a dividend of $30 per share with a yield of 0.18%, having increased dividends eight times in the past five years [8][10] - **United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI)**: Announced a dividend of $0.38 per share with a yield of 3.93%, having increased dividends three times in the past five years [11][12]

We got to bring in here uh somebody you may know something about. That's former Fed vice chair Roger Ferguson. He is the former president and CEO of TIAA and now survey uh vice chair of the business council and a CNBC contributor.Lots of titles, Roger, because there's lots of wisdom there. That's why >> you're absolutely right, Steve. >> I want to get to the about it's about face.The about face the market did with what happened last week. I was reporting one hawkish uh Fed president after another. The marke ...

Fed Policy & Market Reaction - The market reacted strongly to comments from a Fed president, interpreting them as a signal of a potential shift in monetary policy [2] - The market's interpretation puts the Fed in a difficult position, risking market disappointment if it doesn't follow through [4] - A former Fed vice chair expresses concern that one speech significantly altered market expectations [3] Inflation Concerns - Inflation has been running significantly above the 2% target, around 2.9% to 3% [5] - There's a risk that the market may perceive the Fed's actual inflation target to be higher than 2%, potentially around 2.5% to 3% [8] - Maintaining short-term credibility regarding inflation should be a priority [8] - In the absence of clear inflation data, caution is advised to avoid difficulty in controlling inflation later [9] Monetary Policy Stance - A former Fed vice chair aligns with those advocating for a more cautious approach regarding potential policy easing in December [6] - The argument for needing monetary policy assistance due to a weak labor market is not considered strong [6] - Delaying a meeting to wait for more data is not recommended, as it could create uncertainty and questions about the meeting schedule [10][11][12]

Germany’s inflation rate unexpectedly rose to the highest level in nine months, offering a reminder before the European Central Bank’s final meeting of the year that risks to price stability remain https://t.co/Ap4iqm6IVq ...

Why This Matters to You Gen Z's shift toward more cautious, value-focused spending could influence holiday sales, product availability, and pricing trends—affecting how all generations shop this season. Understanding these changes can help you plan your budget and make smarter gift-buying decisions. "Consumer sentiment in the U.S. remains cautious, with inflation continuing to dominate as the top concern for many households. Rising prices are prompting significant shifts in consumer behavior,†said Kari Alld ...

Economic Data - U.S. durable goods orders rose +0.5% m/m in September, core durable goods orders increased +0.6% m/m, exceeding expectations of +0.2% m/m [1] - Initial jobless claims fell by -6K to 216K, a 7-month low, compared to the expected 226K [1] - Chicago PMI fell to 36.3 in November, weaker than the expected 44.3 [1] Stock Market Performance - Wall Street's three main equity benchmarks ended in the green, with Robinhood Markets surging over +10% after acquiring a majority stake in LedgerX [2] - Chip stocks gained, with Marvell Technology climbing more than +5% and AMD rising over +3% [2] - Dell Technologies advanced more than +5% after raising its full-year revenue guidance [2] - Workday slumped over -7% due to disappointing Q3 subscription revenue [2] Futures and Options Trading - Trading of futures and options on the CME was halted due to a cooling issue at data centers, affecting U.S. Treasuries and equity futures [4] - December S&P 500 E-Mini futures were indicated up +0.10% before the technical outage [5] Federal Reserve Insights - The Fed's Beige Book indicated little change in U.S. economic activity, with some optimism among manufacturers and a slight decline in employment [6] - Rate futures priced in an 84.7% probability of a 25 basis point rate cut at the December FOMC meeting [7] European Market Updates - Euro Stoxx 50 Index down -0.02%, with bank stocks underperforming while energy and mining stocks gained [8] - French November CPI fell -0.1% m/m, while Italian GDP grew +0.1% q/q, stronger than expectations [11] Japanese Market Developments - Japan's Nikkei 225 closed slightly higher, with machinery and steel stocks outperforming [14] - Core consumer inflation in Tokyo rose +2.8% y/y, above expectations [16] - Japan's industrial production unexpectedly rose +1.4% m/m, stronger than expectations of -0.5% m/m [16] Chinese Market Trends - China's Shanghai Composite Index closed higher, led by AI-related stocks, while real estate stocks declined [13] - JPMorgan Chase upgraded its view on China's stocks to "Overweight," citing potential for gains next year [13]