Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve significantly influences borrowing costs in the U.S., impacting household affordability despite stable prices for goods like homes and vehicles [1][4][6]. Group 1: Economic Impact of High Borrowing Costs - High interest rates have led to increased monthly payments on mortgages, car loans, and credit cards, creating a financial strain on households [1][6][7]. - The cost of borrowing has effectively acted as a second form of inflation, stretching household budgets to their limits [7]. Group 2: Political Ramifications - The current economic situation has become a political liability for President Trump, who faces skepticism from voters regarding his promises to restore affordability [8][11]. - A Fox News survey indicates that 76% of voters rate the economy negatively, a significant increase from previous months [9]. - Voters attribute the economic downturn more to Trump than to Biden, with many feeling personally affected by his policies [11]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Economists suggest that affordability will not improve until the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates, which would ease long-term borrowing pressures [7][16]. - The Fed's upcoming decision on interest rates carries significant political and economic implications for the affordability of life for millions of Americans in the coming year [16].

The Bank of Canada is likely to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday amid mounting evidence the country’s labor market and economy are stabilizing after the initial tariff shock https://t.co/mQYLEebhUI ...

We do think uh the Fed's likely to cut rates uh at the upcoming meeting. We also think that this is a Fed that would like to get rates a bit lower uh into 2026. The challenge of course is that we expect to see a little bit of reaceleration in the economy uh during the first half of the year and we also expect inflation to remain uh comfortably above the central bank targets.So we believe this Fed when they say they're going to continue to focus on the data. We do think the data is going to be a bit confusin ...

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 95% chance the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by 25 bps tomorrow, according to Polymarket. https://t.co/Unpw30E4QB ...

There's an emerging divide at the Federal Reserve. >> This is a generally a consensus driven committee. Consensus is not there right now.>> It's a high stakes difference of opinion. The Fed's leaders set an interest rate that can affect your job prospects, your home's value, and the cost of virtually all financial products. >> We're talking about mortgages, talking about credit cards, car loans, all those kind of things that people use over the course of their daily lives.What is important to know is the di ...

Let's get to the broader market ahead of tomorrow's Fed decision. Joining us now is Piper Sandler chief investment strategist Michael Cananteritz. Michael was ranked Excel's top portfolio strategist for the second year in a row.Michael, thank you for joining us. So, so do you expect the gains this year to continue through the end of the year and into next. >> Yeah, I I think you know we remain constructive on the market.I think the difference is going to be the leadership. you know, in the summer from the A ...

Treasuries edged lower after a gauge of US job openings topped estimates, highlighting the challenge Federal Reserve policymakers face as they prepare to vote on whether to lower interest rates again this week https://t.co/muRKWz2riD ...

Core Insights - The retail real estate industry is facing challenges such as inflation, regulatory issues, and high interest rates affecting construction loans, which can range from 6% to over 10% [1][4] - AI is increasingly being utilized across various sectors to enhance efficiency and streamline processes, with significant implications for decision-making in business [2] - The ICSC New York convention is a key event for industry stakeholders, focusing on consumer behavior, retail strategies, and potential partnerships for 2026 [2][3] Market Conditions - There is a lack of new construction in the retail sector due to high borrowing costs and inflation, leading to a focus on redevelopment instead [4] - High occupancy rates are reported, with significant demand for retail spaces despite closures of major retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Joann [4] - The Sun Belt region, particularly cities like Nashville, Orlando, and Atlanta, is experiencing economic growth and high demand for retail space, contrasting with high vacancy rates in cities like San Francisco and Portland [5] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are currently price-conscious, favoring off-price retailers and seeking deals, which is reflected in the success of discount stores [8] - During the Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday shopping period, 77% of U.S. adults shopped, with significant participation from Millennials and Gen Z [11] - In-store shopping remains popular, with 84% of shoppers engaging in in-store or for in-store pickup shopping, marking a 6 percentage point increase from the previous year [11] Industry Events - The ICSC New York event attracts around 8,000 attendees, while the larger ICSC Las Vegas event is expected to draw 25,000 participants, highlighting the significance of these gatherings for networking and industry insights [9] - The mood at ICSC New York is optimistic, driven by resilient consumer behavior during the holiday shopping season [9]

Group 1 - The October JOLTS report shows a total of 7,670,000 job openings, exceeding expectations of around 7,100,000, marking the strongest number since May [1] - The leading economic indicators have been trending negatively, indicating potential economic challenges ahead [1] - The September reading for leading economic indicators matched expectations, showing a decrease of 0.3%, which is the best reading since July [2] Group 2 - Interest rates are rising globally, with the current rate hovering around 4.17%, and the high yield noted at approximately 4.19% [3] - The upcoming 10-year auction is set for $39 billion, highlighting ongoing interest in government securities despite rising rates [4] - The yield curve is tightening, particularly between two-year and ten-year notes, indicating market adjustments to interest rate changes [4]

Core Insights - The 2026 Outlook by LPL Financial emphasizes a data-driven perspective on the economic and market landscape, providing actionable insights for investors to navigate policy-driven trends and volatility [1][2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Markets in 2026 are expected to be heavily influenced by fiscal and monetary policy rather than traditional fundamentals, with policy decisions shaping sentiment and market direction [4] - Volatility is anticipated to continue in 2026, with supportive policy conditions expected to benefit markets despite the ongoing volatility [3][4] Group 2: Investment Opportunities - Equity markets are likely to extend gains, driven by enthusiasm around artificial intelligence (AI) and a more accommodative Federal Reserve, although high valuations and concentration in mega-cap technology stocks may increase sensitivity to company-specific risks [5] - The stock market's outlook for the second half of 2026 will depend on trade talks, AI developments, interest rate fluctuations, and tax policy, with modest gains expected due to already high valuations [6] Group 3: Risk Management Strategies - Diversification is essential in a complex, policy-driven market, with LPL Research recommending spreading exposure across asset classes, sectors, and regions, while incorporating noncorrelated alternatives to enhance portfolio resilience [7] - Investors should pay attention to alternative investments that do not follow traditional market trends, especially in a policy-driven environment [8]