US mortgage rates over 7% are adding fresh strain to household budgets as rising oil prices, higher Treasury yields and persistent inflation make borrowing and energy more expensive. Homebuyers now face a difficult mix of elevated financing costs, still-high property prices and broader economic uncertainty. Oil surge raises energy concerns Brent crude moved above $107 a barrel on Thursday as re

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, 2026, its first increase since July 2023. Inflation remains above the 2% goal, while new Fed projections imply another quarter-point increase could follow before the end of this year. The Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage point on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to 3.75%-4.00%. T

US President Donald Trump used his Republican midterm convention speech in Dallas to defend his economic policies, address rising oil prices and intensify his criticism of Iran. Speaking on September 9, Trump argued that previous administrations contributed to the affordability crisis while promising that his policies would eventually bring household and energy costs lower. Trump Dallas Speech Targets Affordability Crisis

Wall Street reached another milestone Thursday as the S&P 500 closed at a record high after softer US producer inflation eased fears of another Federal Reserve rate increase. Technology shares helped drive the Nasdaq higher as investors reassessed the Fed rate outlook ahead of its September meeting. S&P 500 high extends Wall Street rally The S&P 500 gained 0.65% on August 13 to fini

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan, Harvard economist Raj Chetty and Microsoft executive Asha Sharma have joined newly formed Federal Reserve task forces examining major areas of US monetary policy. The panels will study the Fed’s balance sheet, economic data, employment, productivity, communications and inflation framework. Fed Review Brings Global Experts Into Policy Reform The US Federal

Who was Alan Greenspan? He was one of the most influential—and disputed—central bankers in modern U.S. history, leading the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006. Greenspan died on Monday, June 22, 2026, at age 100. His death renewed attention on a career that spanned Wall Street, presidential administrations and nearly two decades at the center of U.S. monetary policy. Who Was Alan Greenspan? Born on March 6, 1926, in New York City, Greenspan

Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chair who shaped U.S. monetary policy for nearly two decades, died on Monday, June 22, 2026, at age 100. His wife, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, said Greenspan died at their home from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Alan Greenspan Dies After Nearly Two Decades Leading the Fed Greenspan served as chair of the Federal Res

The G7 GDP per capita ranking for 2026 places the United States first at a projected $94,430, according to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook released Tuesday, April 14, 2026. India, at $2,813, remains below both the global average and the average for emerging market and developing economies. GDP per capita measures economic output per person at current prices and market exchange rates. It should not be interpreted as household income, wages

Jerome Powell Honored at JFK Profile in Courage Award Jerome Powell, former Chair of the Federal Reserve, was honored at the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award ceremony on May 31 in Boston, Massachusetts. The event recognized his steadfast leadership in the financial sector and dedication to public service. The ceremony, organized by the JFK Library Foundation, highlighted Powell’s contributions to s

US consumer confidence falls in May as inflation, high gas prices and a softer job outlook pressure household budgets, according to the Conference Board’s latest survey. The drop shows why many Americans are pulling back on spending even as stocks remain near record highs. Why US Consumer Confidence Falls in May The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index slipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, marking the first decline after three m

Kevin Warsh took over as Federal Reserve chair at a White House swearing-in ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2026, as President Donald Trump publicly urged him to lead the central bank independently. The transition places Warsh at the center of a politically sensitive moment for the Federal Reserve, with inflation, interest rates and central bank independence all under close national scrutiny. Trump Says Warsh Should Lead Without Political Pressure

President Donald Trump said China agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a potential aircraft order that could bring Boeing back into a major role in U.S.-China trade discussions. Trump made the comments during a Fox News interview on Thursday, May 14, 2026, saying China had agreed to order 200 Boeing aircraft. He described the deal as a commitment, though the specific aircraft models were not immediately confirmed.

Consumer confidence in the United States fell sharply in April, reaching its lowest level on record as concerns over rising energy prices and the economic impact of the Iran conflict intensified, according to survey data released on Friday, April 11, 2026. The University of Michigan’s closely watched consumer sentiment index dropped to 47.6, marking a 10.7% decline from March and setting a new historic low. Both the current economic conditions index and the expectations index also p

A California lawmaker is seeking federal action to reverse recent labor policy changes that could significantly reduce wages for seasonal agricultural workers across the United States. On Wednesday, March 26, 2026, Representative Zoe Lofgren introduced a resolution aimed at blocking new wage rules implemented by the

Europe’s financial markets are facing a critical moment and must urgently reform to remain competitive in a rapidly shifting global investment landscape, according to the head of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. Nicolai Tangen, chief executive of Norges Bank Investment Management, which oversees Norway’s $2 trillion wealth fund, has issued a stark warning that Europe risks falling further behind unless it addresses long-standing structural issues in its capital markets. Speaking

The United States could face an economic impact of up to $210 billion as Operation Epic Fury intensifies tensions with Iran, according to leading budget analysts. President Donald Trump has indicated that the conflict may continue for at least four weeks, raising concerns about prolonged military spending and wider fallout for the US economy. Estimates by economist Kent Smetters of the Penn Wharton Budget Model suggest that the total cost of the Iran conflict could significantly strain federa

US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday following the central bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, accusing him of delaying necessary rate cuts and undermining the nation’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. The comments came shortly after the Federal Open Market Committee announced it would maintain its benchmark interest rate, a move that aligned with market expectations but drew strong poli

The U.S. dollar has continued its recent decline, extending a trend that presents both opportunities and challenges for the American economy. President Donald Trump described the currency as “doing great,” reflecting his view that a moderately weaker dollar can provide strategic benefits in international trade. Despite this optimism, economists warn that the weakening greenback represents a “double-edged sword,” offering advantages to exporters while introducing risks related to inflatio

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday addressed global political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, marking the completion of his first year in office with a forceful assessment of his administration’s economic record. Speaking to the annual gathering, Trump said public sentiment toward his leadership remained overwhelmingly positive, while asserting that the country had undergone a dramatic reversal in economic conditions since he assumed office. During h

Indian-origin venture capitalist Asha Jadeja Motwani has asserted that she played a role in shaping former President Donald Trump’s recent shift in tone on the H-1B visa program, a move that has triggered debate among his political supporters. The program, which enables United States companies to hire skilled foreign workers, has long been a focal point in policy discussions involving the technology sector. Motwani said she spoke directly with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance about th