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New York Fed President John Williams said September 2 that rising long-term bond yields reflect a strong U.S. economy rather than primarily reflecting inflation fears. He pointed to substantial investment in artificial intelligence, data centers and technology while saying the Federal Reserve is continuing to assess incoming economic and inflation data ahead of its September policy meeting. Key Takeaways John Williams said higher long-term bond yields reflect the strength of the U.S. economy. He attributed part of that strength to investment in artificial intelligence, data centers and technology. Williams said inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. He said recent inflation data have been encouraging but are not sufficient to establish a sustained improvement. Williams said his decision at the September Federal Open Market Committee meeting will depend on incoming data and economic risks. John Williams Links Higher Yields to Economic Strength New York Fed President John Williams said September 2 that the recent rise in long-term bond yields is being driven primarily by the strength of the U.S. economy and its economic outlook. He pointed to large investments in artificial intelligence, data centers and technology as factors supporting economic activity. Williams said the increase in borrowing costs should
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SEC Moves Toward a Major Rewrite of Shareholder Proposal Rules
SEC shareholder proposal rules are moving toward a potentially significant reset as the Securities and Exchange Commission advances a proposal that would rescind Rule 14a-8’s federal framework. The development could affect how public companies handle shareholder proposals, proxy materials and exclusion decisions. Here is what the regulatory filing shows and what remains unresolved. Key Takeaways The SEC sent a proposed Rule 14a-8 rescission package for federal regulatory review on August 28, 2026. The filing is classified as an economically significant proposed rule and remains under review, meaning no final change has been adopted. Rule 14a-8 currently establishes federal eligibility, procedural and exclusion standards for shareholder proposals submitted for company proxy materials. Shareholder proposal submissions during the 2026 proxy season fell nearly 25% from 2025, according to D.F. King data published August 31. The SEC has also stepped back from responding to most Rule 14a-8 no-action requests during the 2025-2026 proxy season. The Securities and Exchange Commission has moved a proposed overhaul of SEC shareholder proposal rules into federal regulatory review, bringing the future of Rule 14a-8 into sharper focus as public companies prepare for another proxy season. A filing received by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on August
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U.S. Services Input Costs Reach Highest Level Since 2022
U.S. services businesses reported a sharp increase in the prices they paid for inputs in August, with the Institute for Supply Management’s Services Prices Index reaching 72.6, its highest reading since August 2022. Services activity and new orders also strengthened, providing fresh data on business costs and inflation pressures. Key Takeaways The ISM Services Prices Index rose to 72.6 in August from 70.3 in July. August’s reading was the highest since August 2022. The Services PMI increased to 55.4 from 54.1. The New Orders Index climbed to 60.9 from 57.2. Services account for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Services Input Prices Reach Their Highest Level Since 2022 The ISM Services Prices Index rose to 72.6 in August from 70.3 in July, marking its highest level since August 2022. The measure tracks prices paid by services businesses for inputs and provides an indicator of cost pressures faced by companies operating across the services economy. The August increase occurred alongside stronger services activity. The ISM Nonmanufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index increased to 55.4 from 54.1 in July. A reading above 50 indicates that activity in the services sector is expanding. The combination of stronger activity and higher input prices produced two
China Export Surge Tests U.S. Factories as Order Growth Slows
China export surge figures for July show Chinese shipments rising sharply as high-tech products gain ground across global
Higher Rates Increase Pressure on U.S. Federal Debt Costs
U.S. Treasury borrowing costs are rising as federal debt and deficits remain elevated, with interest payments reaching about
U.S. Household Debt Falls to $18.8 Trillion in Q2
U.S. household debt stood at $18.8 trillion in the second quarter, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Mortgage balances declined, while auto loans, credit card balances and home-equity lines increased, providing a detailed snapshot of borrowing across major categories of consumer credit. Key Takeaways U.S. household debt
Global Food Price Risks Could Intensify by Year-End, UN Agencies Warn
The latest global food price data shows a stable headline index but growing pressure beneath it. United Nations agencies, the World Bank and U.S. officials are tracking higher fertilizer, energy and category-specific food costs that could affect markets through year-end. Readers will learn which risks matter most and how they
U.S. Manufacturing Activity Reaches Four-Year High in July
U.S. manufacturing activity reached its highest level in more than four years in July, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Stronger factory orders and hiring supported the expansion, while elevated input costs and supply-chain disruptions continued to influence inflation and production conditions. Key Takeaways U.S. manufacturing activity rose to
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Wall Street Rotates Ahead of Big Tech Earnings and Fed Meeting
Investors adjusted their market positions ahead of quarterly earnings reports from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta while awaiting the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision. The combination of corporate earnings and monetary policy expectations is influencing equity markets, interest rate outlooks, and sector performance across Wall Street. Key Takeaways Investors shifted
U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest Level Since 1969
U.S. jobless claims fell to 187,000 in the week ending July 18, the lowest reading since September 1969, according to Labor Department data cited by Reuters and The Associated Press. The report matters because it shows layoffs remain limited even as June payroll growth slowed, creating a sharper divide between
Fed Communication Strategy Review Draws IMF Engagement
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it looks forward to engaging with the U.S. Federal Reserve as the central bank reviews its Fed communication strategy and forward guidance framework. The review is significant because communication plays a central role in how financial markets interpret monetary policy decisions and future interest
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Fed Inflation Outlook Improves as Williams Cites Lower Energy Prices
New York Fed President John Williams said lower energy prices have made him more optimistic about the Fed inflation outlook while reaffirming the Federal Reserve’s commitment to restoring price stability. His remarks offer investors updated insight into the central bank’s assessment of inflation and monetary policy. Key Takeaways John Williams
Fed’s Goolsbee Cites Inflation Challenges Despite Stable Jobs
Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee said inflation challenges remain a concern for policymakers after recent economic data suggested price pressures are not easing as expected, even while labor market conditions continue to show stability. Speaking on June 22, Goolsbee stated that inflation is moving in the wrong direction, signaling
Wells Fargo Lifts S&P 500 Year-End Forecast for 2026
Wells Fargo S&P 500 forecast expectations moved higher this week after the bank revised its outlook for U.S. equities, citing stronger projections for corporate earnings through the remainder of 2026. The updated estimate raises the firm’s year-end target for the benchmark stock index and reflects changes in its assessment of
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Bureau of Economic Analysis Changes Core PCE Methodology
The Bureau of Economic Analysis announced methodology updates for the core Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure. The revisions will
