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☆ Americans are fretting over the job market
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —America’s slowing job market is taking a toll on people’s moods. The Conference Board’s latest consumer survey showed that Americans became much more pessimistic about the US economy’s current health and the future of the job market. “September’s decline was the largest since August 2021 and all five components of the Index deteriorated.”The US job market is in decent shape, but it is clearly running at a much slower pace these days than it has in recent years. Peterson said the weaker-than-expected survey results “reflected consumers’ concerns about the labor market and reactions to fewer hours, slower payroll increases, fewer job openings — even if the labor market remains quite healthy, with low unemployment, few layoffs and elevated wages.”The job market’s fate is unclear. Employers might be holding back on hiring for two good reasons: Uncertainty over the upcoming US presidential election and the fate of interest rates, CNN previously reported.

Persons: ”, Dana Peterson, mightily, Peterson, Jerome Powell, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Organizations: Washington CNN, Conference Board, Employers, Federal Reserve, CNN

☆ Here's why Richard Bernstein Advisors CEO is bullish on small caps
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHere's why Richard Bernstein Advisors CEO is bullish on small capsRichard Bernstein, Richard Bernstein Advisors CEO, joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss futures for small caps, how the Fed’s next moves could impact the markets, and more.

Persons: Richard Bernstein

☆ It will take more than just a drop in interest rates to save the housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But while lower mortgage rates may translate to more buying power for homebuyers, America’s housing market woes aren’t likely to be solved solely by rate cuts. But Enterprise Community Partners, the nonprofit where Donovan currently serves as CEO, estimates that the US needs 7 million new units in order to stabilize the housing market. “There are a lot of factors that have affected the housing supply and these are complicated issues to solve. “We’re not expecting mortgage rates to fall that much further, and we still think that the mortgage rate ‘lock-in’ effect will still be there,” Dougherty said. “Things will probably pick up as rates come down, but we’re not looking for a high-octane rebound,” Dougherty said of the housing market.

Persons: they’d, aren’t, ’, ”, Shaun Donovan, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, ” Donovan, Harris, Trump, Donovan, Jerome Powell’s, Freddie Mac, Charles Dougherty, That’s, “ We’re, ” Dougherty, ” Powell, that’s, Dougherty, “ It’s, ” Ryan McLennan Organizations: CNN, Housing, Urban Development, National Association of Realtors, Partners, Federal, Fed, National Association of Home Builders, homebuilders, Consumer Financial Locations: America, Wells Fargo, Houston, homebuying

But many people are still wondering, what does a rate cut mean for my money? For those who’ve been waiting it out, the rate cut “will instill some hope in folks,” said Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet. Consider your (improved) debt repayment optionsThis week’s rate cut was good news for those struggling to unload themselves of credit card debt. They’re a popular savings instrument when interest rates are high, and as most economists expected, CD rates have already started declining since the Fed’s interest rate cut. “This rate cut is not something that should trigger you to go make any drastic changes to the overall direction of your portfolio,” he added.

Persons: Jerome Powell, ”, Elizabeth Renter, Michele Raneri, “, “ It’s, Rodney Lake, It’s, cardholders, Now’s, Lake, don’t, Freddie Mac, ” Renter, they’ve, Raneri, Lee Baker, there’s, Bankrate, Baker, it’s, —, “ Don’t Organizations: NerdWallet, TransUnion, Federal Trade Commission, GW Investment, George Washington University School of Business, Apex Financial Services, P Locations: U.S

☆ The Fed surprised many investors with a jumbo rate cut this week. It won’t get much easier to predict the next move
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But Wall Street was mostly clueless this week when it came to predicting how big a rate cut the Fed would deliver on Wednesday. The jumbo half-point cut the Fed ultimately rolled out was not at all what traders expected a week ago. Powell: Fed officials ‘left the size of the rate cut open’ ahead of September meetingIn a closely watched speech at the Fed’s annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, last month, Powell declared “the time has come” to cut interest rates. That data was apparently enough to spur some Fed officials to reconsider their position. “But we do not expect Fed officials to be intentionally opaque,” said Husby.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, ‘, “, Price, Christopher Waller, ”, Powell’s, Thomas Simons, ” Simons, Michelle Bowman, “ We’re, Andrew Husby, Waller, there’s Organizations: New, New York CNN — Federal, Fed, PPI, CNBC, Jefferies, BNP Locations: New York, Jackson Hole , Wyoming

☆ What does the Fed’s interest rate cut mean for homeowners and potential buyers?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, slashing its benchmark rate by half a percentage point and signaling more rate cuts by the end of the year. The supply of homes for sale hasn’t kept up with demand as homeowners who locked in ultra-low pandemic-era mortgage rates were less willing to sell their homes in a higher mortgage rate environment. Some experts believe falling rates could entice more homeowners to put their homes up for sale. In the past few months, rates have steadily fallen in anticipation of interest rate cuts. Does the Fed’s recent interest rate cut and the potential for more rate cuts in the future change your outlook as a homeowner or a potential homebuyer?

Persons: hasn’t, Freddie Mac Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve

Stocks surged to open Thursday trading in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it was lowering interest rates by half a percentage point. The Fed’s cut was widely expected, but came in larger than many analysts were forecasting. “The continued decline in mortgage rates is giving the mortgage market a much-needed boost,” Bob Broeksmit, the president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, said in a statement. At the same time, a growing set of indicators suggest economic growth may have begun heading in the wrong direction. “The Fed has signaled a high sensitivity to labor-market weakness,” Nomura Holdings financial group said in a note to clients Thursday.

Persons: Stocks, Jay Powell, ” Powell, It’s, “, Bob Broeksmit, ”, Powell Organizations: Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Fed, Mortgage Bankers Association, ” Nomura Holdings, Wall Street, Bank of America Locations: U.S

☆ Home sales slumped to lowest August level since 2010. But they’re poised to soar after the Fed finally cut interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —Sales of previously owned homes in the United States fell sharply in August, despite mortgage rates plummeting that month. Lower borrowing costs will likely entice buyersMortgage rates could very well come down even more, but that would depend on economic data making it clear that the Fed would cut rates further. The Fed doesn’t control mortgage rates, but its action do influence them through movements in bond yields. Mortgage rates track the 10-year US Treasury yield, which moves in anticipation of the Fed’s decision on rates. Yun told reporters it could take three or four months for lower mortgage rates to boost demand for housing.

Persons: ” Yun, ”, Daniele Hale, “, we’re, Freddie Mac, Yun, ‘ I’m Organizations: Washington CNN —, Federal Reserve, National Association of Realtors, Fed, Treasury Locations: United States

☆ The Fed’s rate cut had nothing to do with politics. That’s not holding politicians back
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But in his own way (very demure, very mindful) that is what happened Wednesday when he announced the Fed’s first rate cut in four years, a giant half-point reduction that will lower the cost of borrowing and offer financial relief for consumers and businesses. Whenever a reporter asks him about politics, Powell refuses to bite. Like on Wednesday, when he was asked whether the half-point rate cut had political motivations, he responded with something approaching exasperation. It’s just maximum employment and price stability on behalf of all Americans.”Of course, that’s unlikely to stop either party from using the rate cut news to their advantage, given that the economy is the No. Trump can continue to claim that a rate cut is a sign the economy is weak.

Persons: CNN Business ’, Jerome Powell, That’s, ” Powell, “ We’re, Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, “, Kamala Harris, ”, it’s, It’s, Jason Furman, Donald Trump, they’re, Pubkey, ” Trump, Powell, He’s, Joe Biden, Powell isn’t, Barack Obama, don’t, Harris, Biden, Steve Sosnick Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Republican, CNN, Trump, Fed’s, Governors, Interactive Brokers, Fed Locations: New York, America, Alabama, New York City, Trump

☆ We're already in a 'small business recession,' says Ironsides Macroeconomics' Barry Knapp
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe're already in a 'small business recession,' says Ironsides Macroeconomics' Barry KnappBarry Knapp, chief market strategist at Ironsides Macroeconomics, joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss his take on the Fed’s 50 bps rate cut, what that means for the markets, and more.

Persons: Barry Knapp Barry Knapp

☆ Treasury yields rise as investors digest Fed’s jumbo rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The 2-year Treasury yield was last less than one basis point higher to 3.6127%. U.S. Treasury yields were higher on Thursday as investors digested the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates by 50 basis points on Wednesday. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday delivered a 50 basis point interest rate reduction, bringing the federal funds rate to 4.75%-5%. The size of the cut was in line with market expectations, which had shifted from expecting a 25 basis point cut to a bigger 50 basis point one in recent days. Elsewhere, the Bank of England is set to announce its latest interest rate decision.

Organizations: Treasury, U.S, Federal Reserve, Bank of England Locations: U.S

☆ Stocks jump Thursday after Federal Reserve’s jumbo-sized rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Stocks jumped Thursday morning as investors cheered the Federal Reserve’s eye-popping half-point interest rate cut. Tech stocks surged: Nvidia shares popped 4.8%, Tesla shares gained 5.4%, Meta Platforms shares rose 3.5% and Apple shares climbed 3.5%. The Fed on Wednesday cut rates by half a point, marking its first rate cut since the onset of the Covid pandemic and bringing rates down from a 23-year high. A large rate cut can be a double-edged sword for the economy. The Fed faced pressure to cut rates in July but held steady instead.

Persons: New York CNN — Stocks, Tesla, Jerome Powell, ”, Ronald Temple, Powell Organizations: New, New York CNN —, Dow, Nasdaq, Tech, Nvidia, Meta, Apple, Fed, Lazard Locations: New York, August’s

☆ Opinion | The Fed’s Big Rate Cut Wasn’t Political. It Was an Economic No-Brainer.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Paul Krugman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In one sense, you could say that Wednesday’s decision by the Federal Reserve to cut rates was of minimal importance. The interest rate the Fed more or less directly controls — the federal funds rate — is the rate at which banks lend one another money overnight. For one thing, Fed rate changes tend to percolate into longer-term interest rates that really do matter for the economy. For example, the series of rate hikes the Fed undertook in 2022 and 2023 drove 30-year fixed mortgage interest rates up to almost 8 percent from about 3 percent. Most of their decisions are based on the same data about unemployment, inflation and so on available to anyone with an internet connection.

Persons: Jerome Powell, don’t Organizations: Federal Reserve

☆ How to make the Fed rate cut work for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

In its August survey of car shoppers, a majority (64%) said a Fed rate cut likely would affect the timing of their purchase. But here’s the thing: Car loan rates are pretty high — the average is 7.1% for new cars and 11.3% for used cars, according to Edmunds. If you do buy a home this year and are considering buying down points to reduce your mortgage rate, crunch some numbers first, Diodato advised. That’s because you will pay thousands of dollars to buy down your mortgage rate now, and then thousands more in fees to refinance. What to do if you’re not near retirement: Reconsider how much money you’re keeping in cash or cash-equivalent investments.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, “, ”, Greg McBride, McBride, Chris Diodato, Jessica Caldwell, ” McBride, Caldwell, We’re, Diodato, you’ll, won’t, Kathy Jones, Jones Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, Bankrate.com, Fed, Treasury, FDIC, Schwab Center, Financial Research, AAA, Bond Locations: Edmunds, Schwab.com

☆ The Fed has waited four years to cut rates. But it’s still a tough call
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s also a sign of confidence from Fed officials that inflation has come under control just enough to comfortably dial back policy. Typically, in the lead-up to a Fed policy decision, Wall Street and economists are in alignment on what to expect. But investors’ wagers for a half-point cut ramped up on Monday; and as of Tuesday afternoon, federal funds futures contracts were pricing in a 63% chance of a jumbo rate cut, up from around 30% on Thursday, according to the CME Group. As inflation skyrocketed in 2021 and 2022, American employers pumped out jobs and the unemployment rate declined to half-century lows. The Fed eventually responded to the country’s inflation problem with its bitter medicine of high interest rates.

Persons: It’s, Christopher Waller, Elizabeth Warren, Robert Kaplan, Bill Dudley, ”, Powell, ” Gregory Daco, “, ” Julia Hermann Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Street, CME, Fed, Democratic, Dallas Fed, CNBC, Former New York, Bloomberg, Dow, Labor, New York Life Investments, CNN

☆ Stock futures rise as traders weigh Fed’s super-sized rate cut: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. stock futures rose Wednesday night as traders digested the Federal Reserve's earlier decision to lower interest rates by a half percentage point. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 100 points, or 0.2%. Futures tied to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 climbed 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Both the S&P 500 and 30-stock Dow initially rallied to new record highs right after the Fed announced its interest rate cut decision. "The market was thinking to itself, if you go 50, another 50 has a high likelihood.

Persons: Tom Porcelli, that's, he's, Porcelli, homebuilder Lennar Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Federal, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Fed, Dow, Darden, FedEx, homebuilder, Traders Locations: U.S

And yet an unusual air of uncertainty overhangs this week's meeting: It’s unclear just how large the Fed’s rate cut will be. Wall Street traders and some economists foresee a growing likelihood that the central bank will announce a larger-than-usual half-point cut. Many analysts foresee a more typical quarter-point rate cut. This week's move is expected to be only the first in a series of Fed rate cuts that will extend into 2025. Over time, Fed rate cuts should lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards, as well as for business loans.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Kamala Harris, Jerome Powell, —, Powell, Jackson, Freddie Mac Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Federal Reserve, Wall Street, Companies, Associated Press Locations: Jackson Hole , Wyoming

☆ The Fed’s long-awaited rate cut is colliding with presidential politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Vice President Kamala Harris called the rate cut “welcome news,” while former President Donald Trump suggested, without evidence, that the decision could be politically motivated. With less than 50 days until Election Day, another question has emerged: Will the rate cut matter to voters? In fact, they already have – mortgages are based on bond yields, which have fallen in recent weeks in anticipation of a rate cut. Harris responded to the rate cut by saying she’s focused on bringing down prices. This story has been updated with reaction to the Fed’s rate cut announcement.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Ukraine —, ’, —, “, ” Biden, Kamala Harris, ”, Donald Trump, Zoila Sanchez, CNN’s John King, ” Sanchez, King, ” Homebuyers, Powell, Jason Furman, Barack Obama’s, “ It’s, ” Furman, George H, Bush, Bill Clinton’s “, –, Clinton, Aaron Klein, ” Klein, Harris, she’s, Trump, they’re, ” Trump, Steve Moore, Powell sanctimoniously, ” Moore, ” Powell, Moore Organizations: CNN, Reserve, White House, Economic, of Washington, Financial, St, Louis Federal Reserve, Brookings Institution, “, Biden, Fed, SPAN Locations: trillions, Ukraine, Nevada, New York

☆ The Fed’s rate cuts could have unintended consequences for the housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The market had become all but impenetrable after mortgage rates went from historic lows in 2020 to their highest levels in a generation last year. “And I think if we even go down to 5.9%, that would be really psychologically impactful to the housing market. The current 6.2% mortgage rate average is, of course, preferable to last year’s peak of 7.8% — a difference that could translate to hundreds of dollars in monthly payments. As my colleague Samantha Delouya wrote this week, a drop in mortgage rates could be a double-edged sword. “A further drop in mortgage rates could bring a surge of demand that makes it tougher to actually buy a house.”

Persons: ” Daniel Alpert, Alpert, “, ” Daryl Fairweather, Samantha Delouya, ”, Greg McBride Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Westwood Capital, Fed, Bankrate Locations: New York

☆ Cheaper Mortgages and Car Loans: Lower Rates Are on the Horizon
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Karl Russell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Cheaper Mortgages and Car Loans: Lower Rates Are on the HorizonThe costs of 30-year mortgages and new car loans have been inching down in recent months, welcome news for borrowers who have endured years of high prices and high interest rates. When the Fed lowers its benchmark rate, it is ultimately trying to reduce borrowing costs for businesses and consumers. Read more about what lower interest rates could mean for five areas of your financial life. That has raised questions about whether the Fed waited too long to begin lowering rates. And the costs of many household items, big-ticket purchases and crucial services remain high for many people.

Persons: Read, Wednesday’s Organizations: Federal Locations: U.S

☆ So we’re expecting a rate cut. When will we start to see a difference in the economy?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

How rate cuts workCentral banks cut interest rates for two main reasons: financial conditions are expected to worsen drastically, or inflation has cooled so much that leaving interest rates at high levels will be overly restrictive and put a drag on the economy. The Fed lowers its target rate by buying more securities, namely Treasury notes and mortgage-backed securities. When they have more money to lend out, they don’t need to charge such high interest rates on mortgages and other types of loans they offer. Business' hiring decisions can be influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions. When the Fed lowers or raises rates, it takes a while for the full effect of those moves to be felt across the economy.

Persons: you’ve, Jerome Powell, it’ll, Don’t, don’t, Banks, it’s, Thomas Drechsel, Lynne Sladky, ”, “ they’re, ” Said, Milton Friedman, ” Drechsel, “, they’re, Drechsel Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, University of Maryland, Business, Netflix, CNN, Fed Locations: New York

☆ Elizabeth Warren calls for emergency-like Fed rate cut ASAP
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The American economy appears to be just hours away from a major milestone: The first interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve since Covid. Yet there remains an unusual amount of drama over the magnitude of that rate cut, with some in Washington calling for a supersized move. Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants the Fed to slash interest rates at a pace rarely seen outside of a full-blown crisis. “It is clearly the time for the Fed to cut rates. For instance, in early 2008 the Fed slashed interest rates by three-quarters of a point or more on three occasions.

Persons: Massachusetts Democratic Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Jerome Powell, Warren, “, ” Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, John Hickenlooper, Powell, Bill Dudley, “ dawdling, Dudley, ” Dudley, panicking, David Kelly, ” Kelly, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Massachusetts Democratic, Sens, Wall, Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of New, CNN, Democrats, Asset Management Locations: New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Savings Accounts and C.D.sWhat’s happening now: The rate reversal is likely to be most disappointing for savers, who have benefited from juicier yields on everything from online savings accounts and certificates of deposit to money market funds. Those are all likely to inch lower, in line with the Fed’s move, but some providers may move faster than others. That usually depends on whether the bank wants to attract new customers by dangling yields that are more attractive than their competitors’ offerings. If you’re considering certificates of deposit, now is probably the time to lock in a decent rate if you haven’t already. Online savings accounts averaged 4.40 percent in August, down from 5.1 percent the same month last year.

Persons: you’ll, Jeff Sommer’s Locations: DepositAccounts.com

☆ The Fed is finally about to cut interest rates. What took so long?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —It’s a pivotal week for the US economy, with the Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. Fed officials and investors have long anticipated that borrowing costs would come down in 2024 — at some point — according to their economic forecasts. But nine months in, rate cuts still haven’t happened, drenching Wall Street’s parade and leaving US consumers squeezed by elevated interest rates. Here’s why the Fed didn’t cut soonerIt’s simple: The Fed didn’t cut interest rates sooner because it could have reignited inflation or left it stuck above the central bank’s target. Bond yields, which move in anticipation of the Fed’ decisions on rates, have come down over the past several weeks based on signs encouraging the Fed to cut rates, such as weaker-than-expected employment data and cooling inflation.

Persons: Washington CNN — It’s, it’s, ” Oscar Muñoz, ” Muñoz, Jerome Powell, Powell, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ Jerome Powell’s, ” Philipp Carlsson Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Fed, Wall, TD Securities, CNN, Kansas City, Capitol, White, Boston Consulting Group Locations: —, Jackson Hole , Wyoming

☆ CNBC Daily Open: After the Fed’s first cut, where to next?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. CNBC's Sarah Min breaks down how a rate cut could affect the S&P 500 . Welcome to U.S. rate cut week! But given that the rate cut has been so clearly telegraphed by the Fed, it's hard to imagine it not happening. This cut might not be big in terms of basis points, but it will be big in what it signals to markets.

Persons: It's, Sarah Min, Biden, Donald Trump, Rafael Barros, Cat Stevens, Aditya Bhave, CNBC's Pia Singh, Hakyung Kim, Brian Evans Organizations: Eccles Federal Reserve, CNBC, U.S . Federal Reserve, Discount, China's National Bureau, Statistics, Republican, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, U.S, Federal, Fed, Bank of America U.S Locations: Washington , DC, Florida, U.S

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