European governments had been pressuring President Trump to impose stronger sanctions on Russia. Then Trump flipped the script, challenging them to halt purchases of Russian oil and put tariffs on India and China. https://t.co/WtsCiHQ4Iq ...

RT Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio)🚨 Powell’s press conference just dropped and the message is clear:The Fed cut rates by 25bps today. That was expected.What really matters is Powell’s tone after:➡️ Inflation: He admitted prices have ticked up again, mainly from goods and tariffs.But he also said long term expectations still line up with the Fed’s 2% target.Short-term noise, long term control.➡️ Growth & Jobs: Powell basically said the labor market isn’t solid anymore.Job gains are slowing, consumer spending is ...

Summary of Federal Reserve System Update / Briefing September 17, 2025 Key Points Related to the Federal Reserve and Economic Conditions Economic Growth and Employment - The Federal Reserve noted a moderation in economic activity, with GDP growth at approximately 1.5% in the first half of the year, down from 2.5% the previous year [1][2] - Job gains have slowed significantly, averaging only 29,000 per month over the last three months, with the unemployment rate edging up to 4.3% in August [2][3] - The labor market is experiencing a decline in both supply and demand for workers, leading to increased downside risks to employment [3][6] Inflation Trends - Total Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) prices rose by 2.7% over the 12 months ending in August, with core PCE prices increasing by 2.9% [4] - Inflation expectations have increased due to tariffs, but longer-term expectations remain aligned with the Fed's 2% inflation goal [4][20] - The median projection for total PCE inflation is 3.0% for this year, decreasing to 2.6% in 2026 and 2.1% in 2027 [4] Monetary Policy Adjustments - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to lower the policy interest rate by 0.25%, bringing the target range to 4% to 4.25% [5][6] - The FOMC aims to balance its dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices, adjusting policy in response to evolving economic conditions [5][6] - The median participant in the FOMC projects the federal funds rate to be 3.6% at the end of this year, down from previous projections [8] Risks and Future Outlook - The balance of risks has shifted, with increased downside risks to employment and a more neutral policy stance being adopted [6][16] - The Fed acknowledges the potential for persistent inflation but believes that the current labor market conditions warrant a cautious approach [20][25] - The Fed is committed to monitoring economic data closely and adjusting its policy as necessary to achieve its goals [29][70] Labor Market Dynamics - The Fed highlighted that the slowdown in job creation is largely due to a decline in labor force growth, influenced by lower immigration and participation rates [3][12] - Concerns were raised about the impact of a softening labor market on younger and minority job seekers, who are particularly vulnerable [26][40] Housing Market Considerations - The Fed recognizes that high interest rates have exacerbated housing affordability issues, impacting household formation and wealth accumulation [58][61] - The ongoing housing shortage is identified as a deeper, structural issue that the Fed cannot directly address through monetary policy [61] Conclusion - The Federal Reserve remains focused on its dual mandate while navigating a complex economic landscape characterized by low unemployment, moderated growth, and evolving inflation dynamics [9][70] - The Fed's actions are guided by data and the need to balance risks to both employment and inflation, with a commitment to achieving long-term economic stability [5][70]

Schelsey with ABC News. The latest inflation report shows that prices are still going up across key categories for many households including groceries. What will the Fed do if prices pick up more.So our our expectation and you can see this consistently through the year has been that inflation will move up this year but that the the effect basically because of the effects on goods prices from tariffs but that uh those will turn out to be a one-time price increase as opposed to creating an inflationary proces ...

Higher tariffs have begun to push up prices in some categories of goods, but their overall effects on economic activity and inflation remain to be seen. A reasonable base case is that the effects on inflation will be relatively short-lived, a one-time shift in the price level. But it is also possible that the inflationary effects could instead be more persistent, and that is a risk to be assessed and managed.Our obligation is to ensure that a one-time increase in the price level does not become an ongoing i ...

Let's bring in now a former Fed officials take. That is Richard Clar, a former Fed chair and global economic adviser at PIMCO. Richard, kind of a dealer's choice.You got the actual Fed decision everybody expected. You got Myron calling for a half percentage point cut. He's kind of way out there.No desense, the neutral rate. What do you think is the most important thing here. Well, I think there was some risk management here along two dimensions.One, the statement made reference to risk in the labor market. ...

FedEx will report a quarterly profit hit from President Donald Trump's decision to end tariff-exempt treatment for popular direct-to-consumer shipments when the global delivery firm reports results on... ...

Summary of Haverty Furniture Companies Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE: HVT) - **Established**: 140 years ago - **Store Count**: 129 stores across 17 states, primarily in Florida, Texas, and Georgia [4][5] - **Target Customer**: Female, aged 35-55, married, college-educated, with household income above $150,000 [4] Business Strategy and Operations - **Distribution Centers**: Operates seven distribution centers located in Dallas, Texas; Braselton, Georgia; and Lakeland, Florida, with four cross-docks in various states [4] - **Store Growth**: Aims to open five stores annually but will only open three this year, resulting in a net of 129 stores by year-end [5] - **Product Mix**: Positioned in the upper middle segment, competing with brands like Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn [6] - **Design Services**: Design services account for about one-third of business volume, with an average ticket of $3,400, and $7,600 for design services specifically, growing at 5% [6] Marketing and Customer Engagement - **Media Strategy**: Utilizes broadcast, OTT, and digital platforms, including Instagram and Pinterest, to reach customers [10][11] - **Website Revamp**: Launched a new website in late 2022, which took time to stabilize, but has since seen double-digit organic growth [12][13] - **Regret-Free Guarantee**: Implemented to enhance customer confidence, with no increase in exchange rates or markdowns reported [15][16] Financial Performance - **Credit Program**: Approximately one-third of sales are made through credit, primarily via Synchrony, with high approval ratings [22] - **Capital Allocation**: Planned capital allocation for the year is around $24 million, focusing on new stores and infrastructure [55] - **Dividends**: The company has paid dividends since 1935, with ongoing discussions about special dividends and buybacks [55] Market Conditions and Challenges - **Housing Market**: Currently at a 30-40 year low, impacting store performance; however, the company remains optimistic about future growth [30][31] - **E-commerce Goals**: Aims for e-commerce to reach 10% of total business, currently in low single digits [32][34] - **Tariffs Impact**: Tariffs primarily affect bedroom and dining room categories, with ongoing adjustments to sourcing strategies [36][37] Operational Efficiency - **Staffing Changes**: Reduced headcount from 3,500 pre-pandemic to below 2,400, while maintaining operational efficiency [50][51] - **AI Utilization**: Exploring AI for marketing and operational efficiencies, aiming to grow without increasing headcount [53] Future Outlook - **Growth Strategy**: Focus on expanding in Florida and Texas, with plans for new stores in metropolitan areas and contiguous states [26][29] - **Long-term Goals**: Aiming to return to $1 billion in sales, emphasizing commitment to customer service and operational excellence [57] Key Takeaways - Haverty Furniture Companies is strategically positioned in the furniture market with a focus on design and customer service - The company is navigating current market challenges while planning for future growth and operational efficiency - Strong financial management and a commitment to shareholder returns through dividends and potential buybacks are evident This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, market positioning, and operational insights.

Group 1 - Retail coffee prices increased by almost 21% in August compared to the previous year, primarily driven by tariffs [1] - The U.S. is the largest importer of coffee, with nearly $9 billion worth of coffee beans imported in 2024 [1] - 99% of coffee consumed in the U.S. is imported, as the country lacks ideal coffee-growing conditions [1] Group 2 - About 80% of U.S. coffee imports come from Brazil and Colombia, both of which have been significantly affected by tariffs [2] - A 50% tariff on Brazilian goods was signed into effect by President Trump in July [2] - The full impact of the tariff on coffee prices has yet to be felt by consumers, but experts predict a larger price shock in the future [3] Group 3 - Coffee prices are expected to exceed previous records as the effects of the 50% tariffs on Brazil are realized [4] - Colombia, the second-largest coffee exporter to the U.S., is currently subject to a 10% tariff [4] Group 4 - J.M. Smucker Co. plans to increase coffee product prices for the third time in 2025 due to rising green coffee costs [5] - Starbucks aims to delay price increases until the first half of the 2026 fiscal year, thanks to its coffee buying and hedging practices [5]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's entry into the Indian market is significant, but its success hinges on overcoming high tariffs and establishing local manufacturing to avoid being perceived as a luxury brand for a select few [1][5]. Group 1: Market Entry and Challenges - Tesla's Model Y faces tariffs of up to 70% on its landed cost in India, resulting in a much higher on-road price compared to the U.S. and China [2]. - A temporary exemption allows a lower 15% duty for 8,000 units priced above $35,000, but this is insufficient for mass-market penetration [2]. - Tesla has opened its first showroom in India but lacks immediate plans for local manufacturing, which means all vehicles will incur high import duties [3]. Group 2: Comparison with Apple - Apple's experience in India shows that premium products can succeed with a long-term commitment to local strategies, including tax positioning and local assembly [4]. - Apple's revenues grew by 48% in FY22–23 and 35% in FY23–24, making India its fourth-largest market by shipments in 2024 [3]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Tesla's potential in India may remain aspirational unless it adapts its strategy to local market conditions, similar to Apple's approach [5]. - Without local manufacturing, Tesla risks being seen as a boutique import, allowing domestic competitors like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra to dominate the mainstream EV market [4].