Economic Data – Equity Markets

Jobless Claims Hold Near Multi-Decade Lows as Housing Starts Rebound

Jobless claims held near a 60-year low while housing starts were set to rebound from a weak July, offering a genuinely mixed but resilient economic data picture heading into the Fed's decision. Here's the full breakdown.

Matt Hardy September 17, 2026

Economic Data

PPI Today, CPI Tomorrow: The Last Inflation Data Before the Fed’s Big Decision

PPI lands today and CPI tomorrow — the last inflation data before the Fed's September 16 decision, with markets pricing a genuine coin-flip on a rate hike. Here's what's at stake and how markets are positioning ahead of the numbers.

Matt Hardy September 15, 2026

Economic Data

Q2 2026 GDP Slows to 1.5%: Why AI Investment Is Propping Up a Narrower Economy

US GDP grew just 1.5% in Q2 2026, down from 2.1%, as AI investment and consumer spending offset a drag from trade and government cuts. Here's what the data really shows about the health of the expansion.

Matt Hardy September 11, 2026

Economic Data

US Retail Sales Fell 0.6% in July: A Cooling Consumer or a Prime Day Timing Quirk?

US retail sales fell 0.6% in July 2026, but a Prime Day calendar shift explains much of the drop — sales were still up 5% year-over-year. Here's what the data really shows about the American consumer.

Matt Hardy September 11, 2026

Economic Data

Why Does the U.S. Economy Feel So Expensive Even When Inflation Is Cooling?

60-Word Summary Inflation is cooling, but that does not mean prices are returning to their old levels. Americans are still paying more for housing, food, energy, medical care, insurance, and…

Matt Hardy September 10, 2026

Economic Data

Mortgage Rates Just Hit 6.71%—What Does That Mean for Home Buyers in 2026?

Summary:The average U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 6.71% on September 3, 2026, up from 6.66% a week earlier. For buyers, the increase means higher monthly principal-and-interest payments and less…

Matt Hardy September 10, 2026

Economic Data

Is the U.S. Economy Slowing Down? 7 Economic Numbers That Tell the Story

Summary:The U.S. economy is still growing, but several indicators suggest momentum has moderated. Real GDP rose 1.5% in the second quarter, unemployment remained low at 4.1%, inflation was 3.4% in…

Alex September 9, 2026

Economic Data

Jobs, GDP or Inflation: Which U.S. Economic Data Matters Most for Stocks?

Summary:For U.S. stock investors, inflation often matters most in the short term because it can change Federal Reserve interest-rate expectations, which directly affect valuations. Jobs data is nearly as important…

Matt Hardy September 9, 2026

Economic Data

What the Latest U.S. Jobs Report Means for the Economy

Summary:The latest U.S. jobs report shows a labor market that is cooling rather than collapsing. July payroll employment declined by 23,000, while unemployment edged down to 4.1%. Hiring remains uneven…

Alex September 8, 2026

Economic Data

What the August 2026 Jobs Report Really Means for the U.S. Economy

Summary:The August 2026 jobs report will offer an important test of whether the U.S. labor market is stabilizing or losing momentum. With July payrolls falling by 23,000 and unemployment at…

Matt Hardy September 8, 2026