Weak payrolls and stagnant real wages argue against another interest-rate increase, while oil, producer prices and geopolitical risk prevent the Federal Reserve from declaring victory over inflation. The most credible policy is a disciplined pause—not a return to Bernanke-era quantitative easing. Research and forecast information updated August 13, 2026, before the July … [Read more...] about Fed Rate Pause or Hike? July CPI, Jobs, PPI and Oil Risks Point to a Better Policy Path
US Employment
July 2026 Jobs Report: World Cup Payroll Distortion
July 2026 Jobs Report: Is the World Cup Hiding a Hiring Mirage? World Cup spending surged across US host cities, but early labor indicators show surprisingly little hiring. The July jobs report may reveal whether the tournament created a temporary payroll boost—or whether businesses simply made more from the workers they already had. Millions filled stadiums, hotel rates … [Read more...] about July 2026 Jobs Report: World Cup Payroll Distortion