Core Viewpoint - Central bankers globally express solidarity with U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell amid President Trump's escalating confrontation with the Fed, including a Justice Department investigation and threats of criminal charges [1] Group 1: Central Bankers' Support - Nine national central bank heads, including Christine Lagarde and Andrew Bailey, affirm Powell's integrity and commitment to public interest [1] - The statement emphasizes the importance of central bank independence for maintaining price, financial, and economic stability [1] Group 2: Importance of Independence - Central bankers highlight that preserving the independence of central banks is critical for serving citizens and upholding the rule of law and democratic accountability [1]

U.S. stocks traded lower this morning, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 300 points on Tuesday.Following the market opening Tuesday, the Dow traded down 0.66% to 49,264.22 while the NASDAQ declined 0.15% to 23,699.14. The S&P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.24% to 6,960.41.Check This Out: Bank of America Gears Up For Q4 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street’s Most Accurate AnalystsLeading and Lagging SectorsEnergy shares gained by 1.4% on Tuesday.In trading on Tuesday, financial s ...

U.S. stocks traded lower this morning, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 300 points on Tuesday.Following the market opening Tuesday, the Dow traded down 0.66% to 49,264.22 while the NASDAQ declined 0.15% to 23,699.14. The S&P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.24% to 6,960.41.Check This Out: Bank of America Gears Up For Q4 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street’s Most Accurate AnalystsLeading and Lagging SectorsEnergy shares gained by 1.4% on Tuesday.In trading on Tuesday, financial s ...

Company Overview - SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SOFI) provides a range of financial services including lending, banking, investment, and insurance through digital platforms [2]. Stock Performance and Analyst Insights - Recently, SoFi's stock has experienced a decline, prompting discussions about whether to buy at lower levels. Analyst Jim Cramer indicated that the stock has not decreased enough and suggested waiting before making any purchases [1]. - Cramer noted that the stock is currently under pressure, describing it as "heavy" with a lot of shares available for sale. He advised against buying at current prices, indicating a preference to wait for a more favorable entry point [1]. - Cramer mentioned that the stock has a high price-to-earnings multiple, suggesting that it may be overvalued at present levels. He recommended waiting for a potential price drop to around $20 before considering a purchase [2]. Investment Considerations - While acknowledging SoFi's potential as an investment, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk compared to SoFi [2].

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify that the reported holdings represent client investments in Bitcoin ETFs. Last week, filings revealed that clients of Wells Fargo have amassed substantial exposure to Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) through ETFs. This development has elicited reactions from the cryptocurrency community, including a response from Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance. The disc ...

Quick Read Stocks that plunged on the open on the Federal Reserve subpoena news reversed sharply and ended higher across the board by the close. Fourth-quarter earnings will kick off with the big Wall Street banks reporting this week With some spicy economic news on tap, like today’s December Consumer Price Index print, which is expected to be 2.7% year-over-year, it could move markets. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from d ...

By Omkar Godbole (All times ET unless indicated otherwise) U.S. credit unions joined banks in rejecting reward payments for holding stablecoins while crypto traders await U.S. inflation data that could boost bitcoin buying. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is a proposed regulatory framework that categorizes digital assets into three main categories: digital commodities like bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) overseen by the CFTC, investment contract assets regulated by the SEC and permitted payment stable ...

Accessible version Global Rates Viewpoint FX-Sofr primer: 2026 edition Primer Key takeaways Structural changes in relative liquidity The global liquidity outlook is changing as global central banks part ways on balance sheet management. In the US, the Federal Reserve stopped quantitative tightening (QT) and is increasing its balance sheet via bill purchases. In the UK and Japan, the Bank of England and Bank of Japan are reducing their respective pace of QT. In the euro area, the European Central Bank remain ...

Core Insights - Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) and home equity loans (HEL) currently have interest rates ranging from the low 7% range to near 9%, with national averages around 7.5% or lower, making them affordable borrowing options [1][11] - The average monthly HELOC rate has decreased to 7.25%, while the national average for home equity loans stands at 7.56%, based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a combined loan-to-value ratio of less than 70% [2] - Homeowners have approximately $36 trillion of equity available, which can be accessed through second mortgages like HELOCs and HELs, providing a means to utilize this accumulated value [3] Interest Rate Dynamics - Second mortgage rates are influenced by an index rate plus a margin, with the current prime rate at 6.75%, leading to potential HELOC rates starting at 7.50% if a margin of 0.75% is applied [5] - Lenders have flexibility in pricing second mortgage products, and rates can vary significantly based on credit score, debt levels, and the amount drawn compared to home value [6] - Home equity loans typically do not feature introductory rates, unlike HELOCs, which may offer below-market rates for a limited time before adjusting to a higher variable rate [7] Lender Considerations - The best HELOC lenders provide low fees, fixed-rate options, and generous credit lines, allowing homeowners to draw from their equity as needed [8] - When selecting a lender, it is important to consider both the introductory rates and the minimum draw amounts required for HELOCs [9] - Home equity loan lenders may be easier to find due to the fixed rate structure, which simplifies the borrowing process [10] Current Market Conditions - The national average rates for HELOCs and HELs are currently 7.25% and 7.56% respectively, with rates varying widely based on individual creditworthiness [11] - For homeowners with low primary mortgage rates and significant equity, obtaining a HELOC or HEL is advisable, as it allows access to cash without sacrificing favorable mortgage terms [12] - A $50,000 HELOC at a 7.50% interest rate would result in a monthly payment of approximately $313 during the draw period, but payments may increase during the repayment phase due to variable rates [13]

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration's threat of criminal charges against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell raises concerns about the central bank's independence and potential economic implications, particularly regarding mortgage interest rates and the value of U.S. financial assets [1][3][5]. Market Reaction - Market watchers indicate that a potential indictment of Powell could lead to a loss of confidence in the Fed's monetary policy, resulting in increased mortgage interest rates and devaluation of U.S. financial assets [10][11]. - The 10-year Treasury note, which influences mortgage rates, could worsen if the perception of Fed independence declines, leading to reduced demand for U.S. bonds [12][13]. Political Implications - The situation complicates the confirmation process for the next Federal Reserve Governor, who is expected to be aligned with the Trump administration, potentially undermining the Fed's autonomy [2][19]. - Lawmakers from both parties express concern over the administration's actions, with some refusing to confirm any new nominees until the legal matters are resolved [14][15][16]. Expert Opinions - Experts warn that the ongoing inquiry into Powell could mirror situations in emerging markets where political pressures undermine central bank independence, leading to negative economic consequences [11][18]. - The inquiry is viewed as an unprecedented attempt to exert control over the Fed, with significant figures in economics and former Fed chairs expressing alarm over the implications for monetary policy [18][21]. Future Considerations - The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding Fed Governor Lisa Cook's position, which may influence the broader context of Fed independence amid the ongoing investigation into Powell [19][21]. - The perception of the next Fed nominee's independence is likely to be questioned, regardless of their actual stance, due to the political climate surrounding the Fed [22].