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The August Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed that inflation remains an important concern for the U.S. economy. Consumer prices increased 0.4% during the month and 3.4% from a year ago, keeping inflation well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. While the headline reading was in line with expectations, the

The latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report showed a pickup in producer prices in August, with final demand prices increasing 0.4% following a 0.1% increase in July. Final demand goods prices rose 1.1%, while final demand services increased a more modest 0.1%. While the headline increase was notable, the details

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index slipped to 98.7 in August, down 1.1 points from July’s 99.8, which had been the highest reading since August 2025. The index remains above its 52-year average of 98.0, but the pullback erased most of July’s hiring driven gain. The NFIB Uncertainty Index fell

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law on July 11, 2026, the first comprehensive federal housing package in roughly three decades. The Senate passed it 85 to 5 on June 22 and the House cleared it the following day, 358 to 32. It reached the statute books without

The U.S. economy added 162,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August, roughly three times the 53,000 economists surveyed by Dow Jones had penciled in and the strongest monthly gain since March. The unemployment rate held at 4.1 percent, with 7.0 million people counted as unemployed, both essentially unchanged over the year.

The August ISM reports show that the U.S. economy continues to expand, but the sources of that growth are becoming more differentiated. Manufacturing growth moderated during the month as new orders cooled, while services activity strengthened. At the same time, elevated price pressures remain a concern and employment growth continues

This market update highlights key developments across equities, fixed income, and the broader economic landscape. EQUITIES – Markets Returned to Record Territory with Broad Global Participation August was a good month for stocks around the world. The S&P 500 returned 2.27%, setting fresh record highs along the way, including its

The G-20 finance ministers’ summit closed Tuesday night in Asheville, North Carolina, with the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield at 4.795%, the highest level since President Trump began his second term. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the two days of meetings productive, touching on trade imbalances, artificial intelligence, and sovereign debt.