A separate report on Tuesday showed retail sales were flat in October, just below an estimate of economists polled by Reuters calling for a rise of 0.1%. Analysts flagged the likelihood of the figures being distorted by slow data collection due to a recent government shutdown."This is all fairly old news at this point. Most data points are being viewed in the lens of what they are going to do to the Fed, and the data you got today isn't likely to move the needle," said Mark Hackett, chief market strategist ...

Checking today’s mortgage rates might leave you feeling stuck in limbo: Are these the best rates you can get, or should you wait for something better? During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many Americans jumped at the chance to buy property thanks to ultra-low mortgage rates. Read More: I’m a Real Estate Agent: 5 House Items Buyers Almost Always Regret Find Out: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too Now, at the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026, rates are not e ...

Amanda Lynam, BlackRock's head of macro credit research, addresses the fears over the private credit market. Speaking with Romaine Bostick on "Bloomberg The Close," Lynam also discusses her outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy. ...

Group 1 - The U.S. government shutdown is a primary concern for investors as markets enter the strong fourth quarter, with equities near record highs and an upcoming earnings season [1][2] - The shutdown is expected to dominate investor focus, particularly due to the potential suspension of timely economic data, which could impact the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions [2][3] - Analysts project an 8.8% increase in earnings for S&P 500 companies in Q3 compared to the previous year, indicating strong corporate performance despite some labor data softness [4] Group 2 - Companies like Levi Strauss and Delta Air Lines are set to report earnings soon, providing insights into the upcoming earnings season [5] - If the government shutdown extends for two to four weeks, it may lead to additional economic stimulus through rate cuts, potentially accelerating growth in both the economy and equity markets [6] - The release of the Federal Reserve's meeting minutes from September will offer further insights into policymakers' thoughts regarding recent rate cuts [6]

Core Points - The government shutdown is impacting federal employees, with layoffs expected to begin soon, affecting approximately 750,000 workers [10] - The shutdown is anticipated to delay the September jobs report, which is crucial for economic data collection and could add uncertainty to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy [9][7] - The White House is exerting pressure on Senate Democrats to reach an agreement, with significant cuts to infrastructure and green energy projects announced [11][12] Economic Impact - The shutdown could lead to a reduction in GDP, with past estimates indicating a potential loss of about $11 billion or 0.3% of real GDP from previous shutdowns [3] - The current GDP stands at 3.8%, and the shutdown is expected to negatively affect growth and working Americans [2] Legislative Developments - President Trump is meeting with budget officials to discuss potential cuts to Democratic agencies, which may complicate negotiations [5][7] - The Senate is scheduled to vote on funding the government, but bipartisan support appears uncertain at this time [8][13] - There are ongoing discussions among Republicans and Democrats regarding tax credits and other fiscal measures, but a clear solution remains elusive [14]

UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti said the impact of global tariffs on the US economy and Federal Reserve monetary policy remains unclear https://t.co/F5T267H7Oz ...

Abby Joseph Cohen, a Columbia Business School professor, says she's concerned about the potentially disruptive economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs in the second half of the year, which she sees as being at the level of Smoot-Hawley tariffs. Speaking on "Bloomberg Open Interest," Abby Joseph Cohen also discusses Federal Reserve monetary policy and Palo Alto Networks agreeing to buy CyberArk Software. Sign up for the Economics Daily newsletter to discover what's driving the global economy and ...

Bank of America Chair and CEO Brian Moynihan discusses the state of the US consumer, Federal Reserve monetary policy and the bank's second-quarter earnings. Speaking with David Westin on Bloomberg Television, Moynihan also discusses the bank's utilization of artificial intelligence. Bank of America's traders posted a record second quarter as revenue from fixed income, currencies and commodities trading jumped 19% to $3.25 billion in the three months through June. Sign up for the Economics Daily newsletter t ...

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve's monetary policy significantly influences student loan interest rates, particularly through its adjustments to the federal funds rate, which affects borrowing costs across the economy [3][4][5]. Federal Student Loan Interest Rates - Federal student loan interest rates are set by Congress based on the 10-year Treasury note, with a fixed margin added each year. The 10-year Treasury yield is influenced by investor demand rather than the Fed's rate [6][10]. - For the 2025-26 school year, the fixed interest rates for federal student loans are as follows: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans at 6.39%, Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate students at 7.94%, and Direct PLUS loans at 8.94% [17]. Private Student Loan Interest Rates - Private student loans are influenced directly by the prime rate, which moves in tandem with the Federal Reserve's rate decisions. As a result, when the Fed raises rates, private loan rates typically increase [8][9]. - Interest rates among private lenders can vary widely, with typical fixed rates ranging from 2.89% to 17.99% as of October 2025, depending on the lender and the borrower's creditworthiness [13]. Impact of Credit Scores and Co-signers - Federal student loans do not require a minimum credit score or co-signer, while private loans often necessitate a good credit score (mid-600s or higher) for approval. Higher credit scores lead to better loan terms [14][15]. Refinancing Considerations - Refinancing student loans can potentially lower interest rates or consolidate multiple loans into one payment. However, borrowers with federal loans should be cautious, as refinancing with a private lender results in the loss of federal benefits [19][20]. Conclusion - The Federal Reserve plays a crucial role in shaping student loan interest rates, with federal loans offering fixed rates that remain stable for borrowers, while private loans are more susceptible to market fluctuations [22][23].