Hello! Hope you’re having a great week and staying warm!
This week in the U.S. economy ended with some major developments: today’s jobs report showed that job growth slowed more than expected in December while unemployment ticked down a bit, and the president also announced a plan to have the government buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds to try to make housing more affordable and lower interest rates. Those headlines, plus mixed data earlier in the week, left markets and policymakers debating how strong the economy really is going into next week’s big reports.
Next week is busy, with several important economic reports coming out, including two key inflation updates and a closely watched look at consumer spending. There will also be long-term Treasury auctions and lots of Fed speeches that could move the markets. Monday is light on data, but a major Treasury auction takes place in the afternoon and could still have an impact.
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Happy 2026! I hope you had a great and safe New Years!
This past week in the U.S. economy saw a few big themes: the housing market showed some breathing room as mortgage interest rates eased to one of their lowest points of the year. At the same time, people are still feeling the pinch from inflation and higher costs, and there’s been a rise in company bankruptcies that highlights ongoing economic stress for some sectors. Overall, there’s cautious optimism mixed with concern about affordability and how the broader economy will hold up.
Next week’s U.S. economic news will focus on jobs and inflation data, along with reports on manufacturing activity and trade that give a snapshot of how the economy is performing overall. There’s also a steady stream of regular updates on construction, sales, and inventories that will paint a fuller picture of business activity and consumer demand in the early part of the year.
Hey, I hope you had a great Christmas!
This week’s economic news was mixed. New GDP data showed the U.S. economy grew faster than expected, helped by strong spending and exports, but consumers are feeling less confident as worries about prices and jobs linger. The job market remains soft despite a small dip in unemployment claims, and while stocks stayed strong and near record highs, investors are still watching inflation and the Fed closely.
Next week is another short holiday week, and there’s not much new for the markets to react to. The main things to watch are the Fed meeting minutes on Tuesday afternoon and weekly jobless claims on Wednesday morning. Bonds will close early on Wednesday, while stocks will trade a full day.
Next Hello Everyone!
Just a quick note to say thank you for a great year! I sincerely appreciate everything! ?
Wishing you a Merry Christmas ???? and happy holidays ??? Hope the season brings good vibes, cozy moments ?, and time with the people who matter most ??
Warm holiday wishes,
T.
Happy Friday! I hope you have a great weekend!
On Tuesday, the November jobs report looked slightly better than expected at first, but earlier months were revised lower by 33,000 jobs, and the first October report showed a loss of 105,000 jobs. Most of those losses came from federal government jobs tied to the DOGE deferred resignation program. The unemployment rate also rose to 4.6%, making this a weak overall jobs report. On Thursday, the CPI inflation report showed prices increased just 0.02% over the two months from September to November, which was lower than expected and helped ease pressure on interest rates. Overall though, rates ticked up to end the week.
Next week will be short because of the Christmas holiday. A few economic reports are coming out, mostly ones delayed by the government shutdown. Some are usually important, but the data is a bit old now. There are also a couple of Treasury auctions that could affect bonds and mortgage rates later in the day. Everything happens Tuesday and Wednesday, with nothing to watch on Monday or Friday.
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