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ADP’s weekly employment report, which tracks payroll data in near real time, showed that U.S. private employers added an average of 10,000 jobs per week in the four weeks ending March 7. That’s only a slight increase from the prior report’s 9,000 weekly average. What’s the bottom line?At that pace, private employers added roughly 40,000 […]

Celebrate the start of baseball season with this crowd-pleasing Caramel Popcorn recipe courtesy of Delish. Yields 8 servings. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Pop 6 cups of popcorn and set aside. In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt 1/2 cup of butter, then stir […]

Wholesale inflation came in hotter than expected in February. The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.7% for the month and 3.4% year over year. Core PPI (which excludes food and energy) also topped forecasts, increasing 0.5% monthly and 3.9% annually. On the labor side, initial jobless claims fell by 8,000 to 205,000. However, continuing claims […]

While new home sales saw a sharp pullback, pending sales for existing homes edged up 1.8% from January to February, though they remain 0.8% below last year. February activity was generally positive across the South, West, and Midwest, while the Northeast still faced winter-related slowdowns. What’s the bottom line?February activity came in better than expected […]

New home sales (signed contracts) fell nearly 18% from December to January, reaching a 587,000 annual pace. While below expectations, the drop follows stronger sales in November and December, with January’s harsh weather likely playing a role. Builder sentiment remains cautious. The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index edged up one point in […]

As expected, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark Federal Funds Rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%. This follows a similar pause in January, after three rate cuts late last year. While the Fed Funds Rate doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, it strongly influences borrowing costs across the economy. What’s the bottom line?The decision to hold was widely […]

These Dijon Chicken Wings, courtesy of Food Network, are perfect for March Madness game days – or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing treat. Yields 6 to 8 servings. Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds and preheat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly brush two large baking dishes with vegetable oil. Pat 4 pounds […]

The second estimate of Q4 2025 GDP showed the U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 0.7%, down sharply from 4.3% in Q3 and the first Q4 estimate of 1.4%. The drop was driven in large part by cuts in government spending during the shutdown. Initial jobless claims fell by 1,000 last week to […]

Housing starts unexpectedly increased, but the rise was entirely driven by multi-family construction. Multi-family starts had remained subdued ahead of this report, which pointed to potential pressure on rental prices that could contribute to higher inflation. However, with multi-family starts jumping 30% in January alone, that concern would be less significant if this trend continues. […]

After declining in January, existing home closings rose 1.7% in February, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Housing inventory also increased, rising 2.4% from January to 1.29 million homes. That’s 4.9% higher than the same time last year. What’s the bottom line?Housing affordability is gradually improving, which is helping bring some buyers back […]

Consumer prices rose 0.3% in February and 2.4% year over year, holding steady from the previous report. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.2% for the month and held at 2.5% annually – its lowest level since March 2021. Shelter remains a key contributor to inflation, accounting for about 36% of headline CPI […]

Two key inflation reports are on deck: February’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday and January’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report on Friday. The PCE release was delayed due to last fall’s government shutdown. Housing data will also be in focus. Existing Home Sales will be released on Tuesday, home builder confidence arrives on Wednesday, […]

This Chicken Noodle Soup recipe from Food Network is perfect for National Chicken Noodle Soup Day on March 13 or any time you crave a hearty, delicious bowl. Serves 4 to 6. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season two boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper, […]

Home prices slipped just 0.1% in January, according to Cotality’s latest Home Price Insights report. Despite the small monthly dip, values are still up 0.7% compared to a year ago, only slightly below December’s 0.9% annual pace. What’s the bottom line?The longer-term trend is encouraging. Cotality expects home prices to rise 4.4% over the next […]

Several additional indicators point to a labor market that is losing momentum. Revelio Labs reported 16,700 job losses in February in its non-farm payroll release. The firm gained attention last fall when its data helped fill the gap during the government shutdown. Unemployment claims remain relatively low, with 213,000 new claims filed. However, this figure […]