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☆ The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, offers no relief from high borrowing costs — what that means for your money
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"If Americans want lower interest rates, they're going to have to do it themselves," he said. "Going forward, mortgage rates will likely continue to fluctuate and it's impossible to say for certain where they'll end up," noted Jacob Channel, senior economist at LendingTree. Auto loansEven though auto loans are fixed, payments are getting bigger because car prices have been rising along with the interest rates on new loans, resulting in less affordable monthly payments. Student loansFederal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected. Interest rates for the upcoming school year will be based on an auction of 10-Year Treasury notes later this month.

Persons: Brett House, aren't, Matt Schulz, Schulz, Jacob Channel, there's, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, Drury Organizations: Columbia Business School, Treasury, Fed Locations: Edmunds

☆ 29% of households have jobs but struggle to cover basic needs: They are 'one emergency from poverty,' one expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Stubborn inflation has driven many households near the breaking point, but the pain of high prices has not been shared equally. By most measures, low-income households have been hardest hit, experts say. The Federal Reserve responded with a series of interest rate hikes that took its benchmark rate to its highest level in more than 22 years. The spike in interest rates caused most consumer borrowing costs to skyrocket, putting many households under pressure. Inflation continues to prove stickier than expected, dashing hopes that the Fed will be able to cut interest rates anytime soon.

Persons: ALICE, Brett House, Greg McBride, we've, Jerome Powell, Hoopes Organizations: Columbia Business School, Federal, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics

☆ New data shows inflation is still high. Here's how to measure how that affects you
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

That may not be a surprise to consumers who are still feeling the weight of higher prices. Inflation — as measured by the consumer price index — rose 3.5% from a year ago and 0.4% for the month. The consumer price index, or CPI, tracks the average changes in prices over time for consumer certain goods and services. Consequently, if your wages haven't increased by that much over the same period, you're more likely to feel the pinch of higher prices. About 60% of households are living paycheck to paycheck, McBride said.

Persons: Kazuhiro Nogi, Brett House, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James, Aleman, Greg McBride, McBride Organizations: Afp, Getty Images, Columbia Business School, Consumers, Bankrate Locations: Tokyo

☆ March jobs report comes in hot: The US economy added 303,000 positions last month
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Instead, on Friday, yet another jobs report defied expectations. “Today’s jobs report raises the possibility that rather than slowing down, job growth might be holding steady,” Nick Bunker, Indeed Hiring Lab’s economic research director for North America, said in a statement. Last month’s job growth was driven by industries such as health care (+72,300 jobs); government (+71,000 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+49,000 jobs); and construction (+39,000 jobs). President Joe Biden touted March’s jobs report Friday. With today’s report of 303,000 new jobs in March, we have passed the milestone of 15 million jobs created since I took office.

Persons: Nick Bunker, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, —, Greg Daco, ”, ” Daco, we’ve, Erica Groshen, ” Brett House, Daco, Price Organizations: New, New York CNN, of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, North, ”, CNN Business, Cornell University, CNN, Brookings Institution, Congressional, Columbia Business School, Fed, Labor Locations: New York, North America, EY, United States

☆ The Fed holds interest rates steady. What that means for your money
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Annual percentage rates will start to come down when the Fed cuts rates, but even then they will only ease off extremely high levels. That's up from 4.4% when the Fed started raising rates in March 2022 and 3.27% at the end of 2021, according to Bankrate. Doug Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae, expects mortgage rates will end the year at 6.4%, but that won't provide much of a boost for would-be homebuyers. If rates come down and it ramps up demand and there's no supply, the only thing that happens is that home prices go up." Once the Fed cuts rates, "that gives people a little more breathing room," Drury said.

Persons: Brett House, Ted Rossman, Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae, Duncan, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, Drury Organizations: Columbia Business School, Treasury, Fed Locations: Edmunds

☆ Deflation: Here's where prices fell in February 2024 — in one chart
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. is still grappling with higher inflation, government data released this week shows. This "does not mean prices have come down, it just means that they are increasing at a slower rate," said Brett House, an economics professor at Columbia Business School. "It is reasonable that people continue to be frustrated by high prices," House said. While inflation is an overall increase in prices, that doesn't mean all prices go up, said Eugenio Aleman, chief economist at Raymond James. "Some prices go up, some prices go down," Aleman said.

Persons: Brett House, —, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James, Aleman Organizations: Columbia Business School, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: U.S

☆ Forget a soft landing, there may be ‘no landing,’ economist says. Here's what that would mean for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"In many ways, we already have a soft landing," said Columbia Business School economics professor Brett House. What a 'no landing' scenario means"No landing means above-trend growth, and also above-trend inflation," Grindal said, describing an economy that is "overheating." As of the latest reading, the current annual inflation rate is 3.4%, still above the 2% target that the central bank considers a healthy annual rate. A "no landing" scenario also means more strain on household budgets and those with variable-rate debt, such as credit cards. "That looks like the soft landing has been more or less achieved and is likely to be sustained," House said.

Persons: Brett House, Alejandra Grindal, Ned Davis, Grindal Organizations: Federal, Columbia Business School, Gross, Ned, Ned Davis Research, Finance

☆ A nurse with a full-time job and two kids made a tearful TikTok video about living paycheck to paycheck
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A full-time nurse in Pennsylvania said she's struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. AdvertisementA nurse from Pennsylvania shared her financial struggles as a full-time working parent and broke down as she explained that she is living paycheck to paycheck despite earning good wages, in a viral TikTok video . I work full-time, he works full-time," Moan said in the TikTok video while sobbing. AdvertisementAnother user wrote: "I make 6 figures and am STILL paycheck to paycheck! … I don't live beyond my means either.

Persons: she's, —, Mackenzie Moan, Moan, it's, Brett House Organizations: Service, Fox Business, Columbia Business School, CNBC Locations: Pennsylvania, America

☆ Black Friday came early this year, signaling worries about holiday demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Mario Tama | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesEarly Black Friday discounts were far higher this October compared to prior years, signaling retailers are concerned that demand could be tepid during the crucial holiday shopping season. Last year, about 30% of overall holiday sales happened online and other non-stores versus physical retail locations, according to the NRF. On average, 7.8% of all items were on sale at some point during the month compared to just 4.9% in 2019 and 3.3% in 2021. In Oct. 2022, prices were down just .7% compared to the prior year and in Oct. 2021, prices were up 1.9% compared to the prior year. The following year, when both inventories and inflation had grown and consumers were starting to feel the burn of high prices, promotions rose.

Persons: Barbie, Mario Tama, GlobalData, They're, it's, Daniel Rubin, John's University's Peter J, Brett House, we've Organizations: Walmart, Getty, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, CNBC, National Retail Federation Retail Monitor, ., Tobin College of Business, Columbia Business School Locations: Burbank , California, GlobalData

☆ The Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged. Here's what that means for your wallet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

watch nowThe Federal Reserve left its target federal funds rate unchanged for the second consecutive time Wednesday. What the federal funds rate means for youThe federal funds rate, which is set by the central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. To a certain extent, many households have been shielded from the brunt of the Fed's rate hikes so far, House said. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did as well, and credit card rates followed suit. If the 10-year yield stays near 5%, federal student loan interest rates could increase again when they reset in the spring, costing student borrowers even more in interest.

Persons: Brett House, that's, Sung Won Sohn, Sohn, bode, Greg McBride, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, Tiffany Hagler, Bankrate, Jacob Channel Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Columbia Business School, Loyola Marymount University, SS Economics, Treasury, Geard, Bloomberg, Getty, Auto Locations: Larchmont , New York

"When the 10-year yield goes up, it will have a knock-on effect for almost everything," according to Brett House, economics professor at Columbia Business School. There are many factors driving the recent spike in Treasury yields, economists said. Most of the recent jump in Treasury yields is due to a so-called term premium, said Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics. Student loans could get pricierThere is also a correlation between Treasury yields and student loans. The government sets the annual rates on those loans once a year, based on the 10-year Treasury.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Mark Hamrick, Brett House, Andrew Hunter, Hunter, Tony Dwyer, Canaccord Genuity, Freddie Mac, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James Organizations: Federal, Stock, Fed, Columbia Business School, Treasury, Capital Economics Locations: U.S

"When the 10-year yield goes up, it will have a knock-on effect for almost everything," according to Columbia Business School economics professor Brett House. Why Treasury yields have jumpedA bond's yield is the total annual return investors get from bond payments. There are many factors driving the recent spike in Treasury yields, economists said. Student loans could get pricierThere is also a correlation between Treasury yields and student loans. The government sets the annual rates on those loans once a year, based on the 10-year Treasury.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Mark Hamrick, Brett House, Andrew Hunter, Hunter, Freddie Mac, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James Organizations: Treasury, Columbia Business School, Fed, Capital Economics Locations: U.S

☆ Splurging on Taylor Swift tickets and a 'funflation' economy is hitting Best Buy's sales, says its CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Funflation" refers to higher consumer demand for fun experiences, which inflates the prices of these experiences. Big ticket items in electronics are drawing less consumer interest than Taylor Swift tickets and other fun experiences, Barry said at a Fortune event. AdvertisementAdvertisementCorie Barry, the CEO of electronics retailer Best Buy, thinks that splurging on Taylor Swift tickets and "funflation" is hurting her company's bottom line. Bloomberg analysts estimated in August that Taylor Swift and Beyoncé's concert tours would add around $5.4 billion to the US economy's GDP. Best Buy and Barry did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider, sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: Corie Barry, Taylor Swift, Barry, —, splurging, Brett, Insider's Sirena Bergman Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Columbia Business School, Bank of America

☆ Holiday shoppers are getting an early jump on the season, but student loan payments weigh heavily
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Twenty/20October is unofficial start of holiday shopping seasonThis year, half of shoppers plan to begin their holiday shopping by Halloween, according to a recent Bankrate report. Early estimates point to a strong shopping seasonWith more shoppers getting an early start on the season, holiday retail sales are likely to increase between 3.5% and 4.6% in 2023, according to Deloitte's annual forecast. "We expect healthy employment and income growth to keep the volume of sales growing for the 2023 holiday season," said Daniel Bachman, Deloitte's U.S. economic forecaster. Student loan payments could weigh on wallets"Student loan payments are another drag on the consumer," said Brett House, professor of professional practice in economics at Columbia Business School. "On the other hand, labor markets remain strong," House added.

Persons: RetailMeNot, Daniel Bachman, Matthew Shay, Jack Kleinhenz, Brett House Organizations: National Retail Federation, Columbia Business School Locations: Deloitte's U.S

☆ Makers vs. Taylor Swift Shakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Andy Kessler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Journal Editorial Report: The week's best and worst from Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson and Dan Henninger. Images: Zuma Press/EPA/Shutterstock Composite: Mark Kelly“I think Taylor Swift is great for the soft landing,” Columbia Business School economist Brett House declared in the New York Times . Not wanting a recession, I almost rushed out and bought $1,000 tickets and $25.99 friendship bracelets, but then I remembered that isn’t how the economy works. There are two sides of the economy: the productive side and the spend side. We have makers and, appropriate to Swifties, shakers.

Persons: Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson, Dan Henninger, Mark Kelly “, Taylor Swift, Brett House Organizations: Zuma Press, Columbia Business School, New York Times

☆ Now that summer is almost over, people are looking for new jobs. Here's what you need for your next job hunt
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Now that summer is starting to fade, the search for jobs is heating up. Now that summer is starting to fade, the search for jobs is heating up. It's sort of like a psychological thing, like: 'Oh, I should start looking,'" Steinitz told Insider. Applying for jobs can feel like a job itself, but be patient throughout this process. AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd if you aren't on the job hunt, beware of joining the growing contingent of "grumpy stayers" — people who are reluctantly stuck at their jobs amid a cooling labor market.

Persons: Here's, Mike Steinitz, Robert Half, Steinitz, here's, Brett Organizations: Service, Columbia Business School Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Another interest rate hike is likely coming from the Federal Reserve: Here are 5 ways it could affect you
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Rising interest rates can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword," said Kelly LaVigne, vice president of consumer insights at Allianz Life. As the federal funds rate rises, the prime rate does, as well, and credit card rates follow suit. The average credit card rate is now more than 20% — an all-time high, while balances are higher and nearly half of credit card holders carry credit card debt from month to month, according to a Bankrate report. Student loans Federal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected by the Fed's moves. For now, anyone with existing federal education debt will benefit from rates at 0% until student loan payments restart in October.

Persons: Stefani Reynolds, they've, Kelly LaVigne, Brett House, WalletHub, Freddie Mac, Edmunds, Ivan Drury Organizations: Eccles Federal Reserve, Bloomberg, Getty, Reserve, Fed, WalletHub, Allianz Life, Columbia Business School, Treasury, Istock Locations: Washington, Edmunds

☆ A study in Swiftonomics: Why we're willing to spend so much on Eras Tour tickets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Sirena Bergman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

People's willingness to pay huge amounts for Taylor Swift tickets defies the current economy. I also got swept up by the Eras Tour hype. So when tickets to Taylor Swift's US tour went on sale last year, I wasn't expecting the astronomical demand to basically break the internet. Desperate fans who missed out were paying extortionate amounts of money for second-hand tickets, which were being sold at up to a 4,000% markup. Insider reported that at least two people spent $20,000 on the Eras tour, and that doesn't factor in the elaborate outfits that are pretty much mandatory.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Taylor, —, Brett House Organizations: Service, Columbia Business School Locations: Wall, Silicon, Paris

☆ Student loan relief is gone for millions of Americans — here's what it means for retailers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Biden's plan would have eliminated her remaining student debt balance. KeyBanc's Thomas said the student loan payment pause was yet another pandemic tail wind for retailers. Estimates vary on how much student loan borrowers will pay each month. Kantrowitz said there is little data on how Americans used the money that they did not spend on student debt. He said the student loan changes are modest compared with the pinch that people feel from inflation or the dwindling of pandemic-strengthened savings accounts.

Persons: Brent Lewis, Lenèe Gill, Pell, Gill, KeyBanc's Thomas, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, it's, Brett House, Mario Anzuoni Organizations: Old Navy, Denver, Getty, Louisiana State University, Walmart, Nutrition, Bank of America Institute, Columbia, Maxx, TJX Cos Inc Locations: Denver , Colorado, Pasadena , California

☆ 'The credit crunch has started': Here's what tighter lending standards mean for American consumers and businesses as banks navigate the SVB wreckage
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"Each bank is going to apply those credit standards differently," a source told Insider. Requiring higher minimum credit scores and minimum repayments and curbing credit limits were among tweaks banks were making. Lending to consumers dropped and credit standards and terms "continued to tighten sharply," with marked rises in loan pricing. A "dramatic worsening of firm and consumer access to bank credit," is how a 2014 paper on the Federal Reserve's website describes a credit crunch. Tighter lending standards may have a big impact on floating-rate loans versus fixed loans, CFRA equity analyst Alexander Yokum told Insider.

☆ Gas, airfares, car insurance: How transportation costs are impacting high inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Xinhua News Agency | Xinhua News Agency | Getty ImagesMeanwhile, fuel oil dipped 1.2% in January but was up 27.7% for the past 12 months. While high gas prices made headlines in 2022, prompting gas tax holidays in some states, those prices have subsided from last year's highs. Gas prices "did rise in January and that was mostly due to the weather," said Andrew Gross, spokesperson at AAA. Other transportation costs are in fluxNew vehicles are up 5.8% over the past 12 months ending Jan. 30, and up 0.2% for the month. However, used cars and trucks, a category that surged during record high inflation, are now down 11.6% for the past 12 months and down 1.9% for January.

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