"I want my new Fed Chairman to lower Interest Rates if the Market is doing well, not destroy the Market for no reason whatsoever," Trump wrote. "I want to have a Market the likes of which we haven't had in many decades, a Market that goes up on good news, and down on bad news, the way it should be, and the way it was. Inflation will take care of itself and, if it doesn't, we can always raise Rates at the appropriate time— But the appropriate time is not to kill Rallies, which could lift our Nation by 10, 15 ...

Economic Growth - GDP exceeded 4% [1] - Inflation is near 2% [1] Trade Policy Impact - Tariffs did not cause a Great Depression [1] - Shelves are not empty, and the economy did not crater [1]

At the same time, Fed governor Adriana Kugler stepped down during the summer, leading the president to appoint White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Stephen Miran to serve out the remaining five months in her term. Miran did not step down from his position at the White House, only taking a leave of absence. It's a move that many Fed watchers worried would compromise Fed independence — and one that Miran himself had previously warned about prior to his position in the administration.The Fed’s holdin ...

The stock market can expect a resurgence in real estate stocks and funds after the December 18 Consumer Price Index fell to 2.7%, well below consensus forecasts of 3.0% or higher.That scenario is already supporting a rally in stocks and lifting interest-rate expectations. Investors are locking in positions based on muted inflation as potential evidence that the Federal Reserve can keep easing into early 2026, sending yields lower and boosting rate-sensitive sectors like real estate.Although economists warne ...

Two new sets of data show consumers are spending strongly but not feeling confident.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.U.S. gross domestic product climbed at a seasonal and inflation-adjusted 4.3% annu ...

US inflation reportedly cooled, and the Fed already cut rates three times, but Bitcoin price keeps stalling every time it pokes near $90,000, just like it did yesterday, the 22nd of December. Watching the order books on Binance and Coinbase during Monday’s European session, it was clear that $90,000 wasn’t just a psychological wall or a large sell wall; it was being refreshed every time the price ticked up, suggesting sophisticated ‘limit’ selling rather than a retail panic. On the surface, this looks l ...

"Households are exposed to much more risk and sources of shock than businesses," says Kathryn Edwards, a labor economist and the co-host of the Optimist Economy podcast. "The risk of shock is getting higher, the cost of shock is getting higher, and the insurance is getting worse."The hidden crisis in the American economy is personal insecurity. Even for people who are generally fine, there's a nagging feeling the rug could be pulled out from under them at any moment, whether it's a layoff, a divorce, or nex ...

Economic Growth - The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, surpassing economists' expectations of 3.3% [1] - Real GDP rose at an annualized rate of 3.8% in the second quarter, following a contraction of 0.6% in the first quarter, indicating a 2.5% annualized growth rate for the first three quarters of 2025 [2] GDP Components - The increase in real GDP in the third quarter was driven by higher consumer spending, exports, and government spending, although this was partially offset by a decrease in investment [5] - Real final sales to private domestic purchasers rose by 3% in the third quarter, slightly above the 2.9% increase in the second quarter [8] Inflation Metrics - The price index for gross domestic purchases increased by 3.4% in the third quarter, up from a 2% increase in the second quarter [9] - The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose by 2.8% in the third quarter, compared to a 2.1% increase in the prior quarter [9] Future Estimates - The third-quarter GDP figure is subject to revision, with the final estimate scheduled for release on January 22 [12][14]

Core Insights - The US economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in Q3, surpassing expectations and indicating tighter monetary conditions may persist [2] - Core PCE inflation increased to 2.9%, remaining above the Federal Reserve's target of 2% [2] - Real personal consumption expenditures rose by 3.5%, indicating strong consumer spending [3] Impact on Crypto Markets - Strong economic growth reduces the urgency for interest rate cuts, which could lead to higher rates being maintained for an extended period [4] - This environment historically pressures altcoins more than Bitcoin, affecting their performance negatively [4] - Bitcoin showed relative stability, trading near $87,800 with a market cap above $1.75 trillion, indicating limited panic selling [5] Market Dynamics - Higher interest rates increase returns on cash and bonds, making liquidity more selective [6] - Speculative assets, including altcoins, may struggle to attract new capital in this environment [6]

Consumer Confidence and Economic Outlook - Consumer confidence data for December came in at 89.1%, below the expected 91, but higher than November's reading, which was the second lowest since the pandemic [6][8] - The current conditions index has significantly declined, indicating consumers are feeling worse about their financial situation, with a notable drop into negative territory for the first time in four years [11][12] - A slowdown in economic growth is expected going into 2026, influenced by high inflation and tariffs impacting consumer prices [14][19] Restaurant Industry Trends - The restaurant industry is experiencing a shift, with a 10% move away from dining out towards grocery shopping due to high prices, particularly in the QSR burger segment, which has seen over 50% price increases since 2019 [44][45] - Domino's Pizza is identified as a top pick for 2026, having only increased prices by about 27% since 2019, making it more affordable compared to QSR burger chains [47][48] - The value meal strategy is becoming crucial as QSR chains like McDonald's aim to regain lost customers by suppressing check growth to align with grocery inflation [51] Venture Capital and AI Investment - In 2025, 40% of deals and 65% of capital invested were in AI companies, indicating a strong focus on AI across various sectors, including life sciences and fintech [79][80] - The investment environment for AI companies is expected to remain robust in 2026, with a quality gap emerging where only companies meeting high growth benchmarks will attract significant funding [82][83] - The IPO landscape is anticipated to be favorable for sectors like crypto and AI, with companies like Circle benefiting from regulatory support [84][86] Tax Implications for Consumers - The child tax credit has been increased by $200, and a new $6,000 deduction for seniors will be available, providing some tax relief for families in 2026 [21][25] - Tariffs are estimated to cost US households an average of $1,100 in 2025, expected to rise to $1,400 in 2026, impacting consumer spending and sentiment [27][29] - Despite tax cuts, the burden of tariffs may lead consumers to feel worse off, as the perception of affordability is affected by rising prices [40][42] Future of Circle and Economic Infrastructure - Circle's CEO envisions the company playing a significant role in the future economic infrastructure, focusing on AI-driven productivity gains and the frictionless exchange of value [70][72] - The company aims to be foundational to a new economic system that integrates AI and enhances global economic prosperity through innovative financial solutions [75][76]