Stay informed on U.S. economic indicators, GDP reports, inflation data, Federal Reserve decisions, and analysis of economic trends shaping America.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the U.S. war with Iran has cost nearly $40 billion through August 1, 2026, projecting an additional $2 billion to $3 billion per month if hostilities persist. House Budget Committee Democrat Rep. Brendan Boyle cited the nonpartisan findings to criticize Republican war funding priorities as the conflict enters its seventh month with no immediate end in sight.
The US Census Bureau reported that median household income rose 2.6% to a record $87,460 in 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Black households saw the largest growth at 4.8%, while white households rose 3%. Women's paychecks increased 3.2%, narrowing the gender wage gap, though rising prices have limited purchasing power.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yields touched 5.011% on Monday, marking the highest level since October 2023 amid a global bond selloff. Rising yields were driven by higher government borrowing, resilient growth, heavy corporate debt issuance for AI investment, and rising energy prices reviving inflation concerns. The benchmark yield topped 5% again on Tuesday before Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's testimony.
The US 10-year Treasury yield briefly surged past 5% on Monday, driven by record-high diesel prices at $6.23 a gallon amid the Middle East conflict. By late trading, yields dipped slightly, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to buy back up to $6 billion of government debt to assuage inflation concerns.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attributed soaring U.S. bond yields to global economic pressures rather than domestic policy, while acknowledging the necessity of curbing the federal deficit. He defended the administration's intervention in the faltering bond market and confirmed upcoming meetings with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of potential talks between Presidents Trump and Xi.
The Empire State Manufacturing Index dropped to 7.6 in September, falling short of the 14.1 consensus estimate and marking a sharp slowdown from August's 20.6 reading. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released the data on Tuesday, noting factory activity still rose modestly compared to prior months despite the slowdown in growth rate.
The Wall Street Journal argues that mortgage rates surpassing 7% will further dampen US housing market recovery by spooking prospective buyers. Economists suggest this milestone, combined with record-high home prices, will cause potential purchasers to pause or withdraw from contracts, delaying anticipated economic relief.
US industrial occupancy accelerated significantly in the first half of 2026, with bulk move-ins rising 25 percent year over year. Net absorption jumped 82 percent, driven by stronger leasing activity and build-to-suit development concentrated in the West, Southeast, and Southcentral regions.
Corporate tax payments dropped 25% to $294 billion in the first 11 months of the fiscal year, despite soaring profits. The Congressional Budget Office attributed the decline to deductions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with tech firms like Meta leveraging expanded breaks for AI infrastructure investments.
Newsweek analyzes President Trump’s claims blaming Biden for inflation, arguing that BLS data shows a mixed economic picture with rising food and gas prices. The commentary suggests that despite some cost reductions, consumer sentiment has declined significantly amid global energy disruptions.