We don't have tariffs. We don't have national security. I think it's one of the biggest decisions in the history of the Supreme Court. It's the most important decision, one of the most important decisions in the history of our country because without tariffs, without our being able to use tariffs freely, openly, and and in every way really would suffer tremendously from a national security standpoint.national security of our country. ...

Live from Washington, D. C. This is balance of power with Joe Matthew.She will fund food stamps during the shutdown, at least some of them. Welcome to the Monday edition of Balance of Power on Bloomberg TV and Radio, as the White House now says it will partially fund SNAP benefits after being compelled by two federal judges. We'll get the latest on this day.34 of the government shutdown from Tyler Kendall at the White House will discuss with Republican Congressman Mike Lawlor of New York. And we'll have ins ...

Core Insights - Home Depot is experiencing a decline in foot traffic and sales due to economic factors such as inflation, job losses, and rising interest rates [4][10][11] Economic Environment - The Consumer Price Index indicated a 3% inflation rate in September, up from 2.3% in April, with effective tariff rates on imports rising to 17.9%, the highest since 1934 [4] - The U.S. unemployment rate reached 4.3% in August, the highest since 2021, contributing to a cash crunch for consumers [6] - The average Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) rate increased from below 4% in 2021 to 7.86% in 2025, impacting funding for home improvement projects [9] Home Improvement Trends - Certain home improvement projects, such as garage door replacement and minor kitchen remodels, provide a high return on investment (ROI), with garage door replacement yielding a 268% ROI [8] - Despite the potential for value increase, fewer customers are visiting home improvement stores, leading to a decline in transactions [10][11] Company Performance - Home Depot reported a slight 1.4% increase in average ticket size year-over-year, attributed to higher prices rather than an increase in customer volume, as transactions fell by 0.4% [11] - Sales in the building material and garden equipment sector decreased by 1.1% through August, indicating a broader trend affecting the industry [14] Tariff Impact - Recent tariffs on softwood lumber and kitchen cabinets are expected to further strain Home Depot's sales and foot traffic, with a 10% global tariff on softwood lumber and a 25% tariff on kitchen cabinets announced [16][17] - The U.S. imports about one-third of its lumber, with 85% of those imports coming from Canada, making the company vulnerable to tariff fluctuations [16] Future Outlook - Home Depot's third-quarter results, expected in mid-November, will provide further insights into the impact of these economic challenges on the company's performance [17]

In his "60 Minutes†interview, the president said tariffs have pushed the stock market to record highs. ...

Core Insights - US factory activity has contracted for the eighth consecutive month, primarily due to reduced production and weak demand [1] - The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index decreased by 0.4 points to 48.7, indicating ongoing contraction as readings below 50 signify a shrinking manufacturing sector [1] Production and Employment - The production index fell by 2.8 points to 48.2, marking the second contraction in the last three months, which has contributed to a depressed employment situation [2] - The ISM's employment gauge has declined for the ninth straight month, although at a slightly slower rate than in September [2][6] Trade Policy Concerns - Manufacturers express ongoing concerns regarding the uncertainty surrounding trade policy from the Trump administration, which affects their outlook [3] - The lack of clarity in trade relations is contributing to a cautious approach among manufacturers [4] Inflation and Input Costs - Inflationary pressures are easing, with the index of prices paid for raw materials dropping nearly 4 points to 58, the lowest level since the beginning of the year [4] - Since reaching a peak in April, the price gauge has decreased by nearly 12 points, suggesting that the worst of tariff-driven pressures on input costs may be over [5] Employment Strategies - Companies are increasingly focusing on reducing headcount due to uncertain demand, with a ratio of 3.4 comments on employment reductions for every comment on hiring [6] - Layoffs and not filling open positions are the primary strategies for managing workforce levels [6]

Group 1: Kimberly Clark and Ken View Acquisition - Kimberly Clark announced its acquisition of Ken View for a total enterprise value of $48.7 billion, marking its entry into the consumer health space [1][2][6] - The acquisition will provide Kimberly Clark access to other well-known consumer brands, including Listerine mouthwash and Neutrogena lotions [3] - Following the announcement, Ken View's stock surged approximately 15%, while Kimberly Clark's stock experienced a decline [7] Group 2: Market Overview and Economic Indicators - The NASDAQ opened with a 1% increase, while the Dow remained flat and the S&P 500 rose by about 0.5% [4] - Key economic reports to watch include the ADP jobs report, with predictions of 45,000 jobs added in October, and upcoming ISM and jobless claims reports [5][6] - The S&P 500 has surged 18% since the Trump administration took office, ending October at an all-time high [12] Group 3: Government Shutdown and Economic Impact - Goldman Sachs indicated that the government shutdown may persist for a few more weeks but could conclude before Thanksgiving, with missed payments for air traffic controllers and food stamps potentially pressuring lawmakers [10] - President Trump expressed no urgency to end the shutdown, highlighting the stock market's record performance and new investments supporting the economy [11] Group 4: AI and Market Dynamics - The market's resilience is attributed to strong employment figures and optimism surrounding AI, which is seen as a key driver of the S&P 500's performance [16][18] - Analysts noted that the ongoing AI boom is influencing market valuations, with significant investments in AI infrastructure from major companies [19][56] - Concerns were raised about the sustainability of the AI boom and potential disappointments in AI adoption impacting the broader economy [60]

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., October 31, 2025.President Donald Trump, who recently suggested he would be at the Supreme Court on Wednesday for oral arguments in the case that will determine the fate of many of his wide-ranging tariffs, now says he will not attend."I will not be going to the Court on Wednesday in that I do not want to distract from the importance of this Decision," Trump wrote S ...

Price Trends in Fashion Industry - Fashion industry is experiencing higher prices across all categories, including jackets, outerwear, dresses, bags, and accessories [1] - Average prices across fashion are $17 higher this year compared to last year [2] - Jackets and outerwear have the highest price increases, approximately 24% higher year-over-year [2] - Swimwear has the lowest price increase, approximately 2% higher year-over-year [2] Impact of Tariffs - Companies are facing higher costs to import and manufacture goods due to tariffs [3] - Companies are passing increased costs onto consumers to protect their profit margins [3]

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America analysts assert that President Trump's tariffs have significantly increased consumer inflation, with no debate on this matter [1]. Group 1: Impact of Tariffs - Since the introduction of "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, trade deals have been negotiated with some partners, but tariffs on countries like China and Canada remain high [2]. - Trump claims that tariffs will help rebalance the trade deficit and encourage domestic shopping, leading to more manufacturing jobs in the US [2]. Group 2: Economic Analysis - Economists warn that the costs of tariffs will ultimately be passed on to consumers, with S&P Global estimating that Trump's tariffs will cost businesses $1.2 trillion this year [3]. - Analysts believe there is strong evidence that tariffs have contributed to higher inflation for consumers [3]. Group 3: Inflation Metrics - Tariffs are estimated to account for 30 to 50 basis points of the core personal consumption expenditure (PCE) inflation rate, which tracks price changes for goods and services [4]. - Consumers have reportedly borne 50% to 70% of the total tariff costs to date, indicating that tariffs may continue to exert upward pressure on inflation in the future [4]. - The PCE price index increased by 2.7% year-on-year in August, reflecting a rise of 0.1% over the previous two months and 0.2% compared to May [5].

Supreme Court arguments over tariffs are coming, shutdown milestone approaches, China's EV sales are slowing, and more news to start your day. ...