Wealth anchor Brad Smith breaks down the latest financial news for June 11, 2025. Alger Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager Amy Zhang discusses how to play the small and mid-cap stock trades and why she believes there are opportunities here. Food prices rose in May. Stew Leonard's CEO joins Brad to discuss how to save money on groceries this summer. Author and student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz speaks with Brad about how President Trump's "Big, Beautiful" tax and spending bill could impact stude ...

Consumer Credit & Spending - Vantage Score data indicates consumers are shifting from cautious behavior to net borrowers, increasing credit consumption unexpectedly [2] - Consumer credit utilization is increasing, particularly in auto loans, driven by expectations of tariff-related price increases [2][4][7] - Overall, the consumer is resilient, with average credit balances remaining relatively stable and delinquencies moderate on a historical basis [3][4] - The percentage of super prime consumers (Vantage score 780 and above) increased in April, indicating high-quality credit [4] Auto Loans - Auto loan borrowing surged in April, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, with growth rates not seen since January 2020 [7][8] - Consumers are anticipating tariffs of 50-100% on cars, leading them to purchase vehicles before prices increase [7] Student Loans - The resumption of student loan payments initially caused the average Vantage score to drop by 1 percentage point in February [8] - Consumers reacted positively to the resumption of student loan reporting, making timely payments and improving their credit scores, bringing the average Vantage score back to 702 [9] Economic Outlook & Risks - A weakening employment picture combined with increased credit utilization would be a negative sign for the economy [6] - The Fed's decision to hold steady on interest rates means consumers will continue to face relatively elevated interest payments [10][11] - High interest rates may lead to fewer consumers taking out new mortgages or maxing out credit cards, resulting in lower credit utilization [11] - The Fed is concerned about the potential inflationary impact of increased pricing, partly related to tariffs, and is waiting to see the results before making any sudden movements [12]