Markets · Business · Economy
Lead Story

Fed holds rates steady, signals two cuts still possible before year-end

Policymakers pointed to cooling inflation and a softening labor market, but stopped short of committing to a September move as officials weigh election-year optics against economic data.

Federal Reserve building
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Equities

Small-cap stocks rally as rate-cut bets firm up for Q4

The Russell 2000 outpaced larger indexes this week, a sign investors are rotating into rate-sensitive names ahead of the central bank's next meeting.

Oil industry infrastructure
Commodities

Oil slips below $76 as OPEC+ weighs output increase

Crude prices fell for a third straight session on reports that producers may unwind supply cuts sooner than markets had priced in.

US dollar currency notes
Currencies

Dollar index steadies as traders await jobs report

The greenback held near a two-week low against a basket of major currencies ahead of Friday's closely watched payrolls data.

People at work in an office
Labor

Unemployment ticks up to 4.1% as hiring cools across sectors

The report gives the central bank more room to consider cuts, though economists caution against reading too much into a single month's data.

Cargo ship shipping containers
Trade

Trade deficit narrows as exports hit an 18-month high

Stronger demand for machinery and agricultural goods helped offset a persistent gap in the balance of trade with major partners.

Suburban houses
Housing

Existing home sales rise for first time in five months

Lower mortgage rates are starting to draw buyers back into a market that had been frozen by affordability concerns since early last year.

Personal Finance

All Personal Finance →
Piggy bank and savings
Saving

High-yield savings rates start to slip — what to lock in now

With cuts on the horizon, some of the best APYs seen in a decade may not last. Here's how to think about CDs versus savings accounts.

Credit card and wallet
Credit

Average credit card APR hits 24.9% — five ways to pay down debt faster

Balance transfers and the avalanche method can meaningfully cut what you owe, but timing and discipline matter more than the strategy itself.

Bitcoin cryptocurrency coin
Crypto

What the new ETF inflows mean for retail crypto investors

Institutional demand is reshaping how bitcoin trades day to day. We break down what it means if you're holding through a taxable account.

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