Economic Insider - Economics & Financial News
today's headline
The U.S. corporate bond market is showing a widening mismatch between issuers and investors. Companies are selling less long-duration investment-grade debt as borrowing costs remain elevated, while investors continue to seek longer maturities. September issuance data and falling average maturities show how higher rates are reshaping corporate financing and future refinancing needs. Key Takeaways Only about 5% of U.S. investment-grade bonds sold during the first half of September had maturities of at least 30 years, the smallest share for the period since at least 2020. Orders for high-grade U.S. corporate bonds have averaged roughly four times the amount offered in 2026. The average maturity of U.S. high-grade corporate debt has fallen from a peak of 12.4 years to about 10.3 years. The 30-year U.S. Treasury constant-maturity yield stood at 5.36% on Sept. 15, highlighting the elevated cost of locking in long-term financing. Shorter debt maturities can reduce the period over which companies lock in current borrowing costs, but they can also bring refinancing dates forward. Long-Dated Corporate Bond Supply Has Tightened U.S. companies are issuing a smaller proportion of investment-grade bonds with very long maturities, even as investor demand for those securities remains strong. Only about 5% of U.S. investment-grade
Top Recommendations
U.S. Job and Housing Markets Face Persistent Economic Pressure
U.S. labor data strengthened in August while housing demand remained constrained by elevated borrowing costs. Payrolls rose by 162,000 and unemployment held at 4.1%, but pending home sales were still 4.7% below a year earlier. The latest figures show how jobs and housing are responding differently to current financial conditions. Key Takeaways U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August 2026, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1% July hiring totaled about 5.1 million, with the hiring rate at 3.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Pending home sales increased 0.3% from July to August but remained 4.7% below August 2025 levels The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 6.95% on September 17, up from 6.76% a week earlier and 6.26% a year earlier August pending sales rose in the South and West but declined in the Northeast and Midwest, while all four regions recorded year-over-year declines U.S. Job and Housing Markets Move in Different Directions The latest U.S. job and housing markets data show a clearer divide between employment and residential activity. Employers added 162,000 jobs in August, substantially more than July’s revised 21,000 increase, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%. Housing data released September
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
trending articles
TOP STORIES
U.S. Critical Minerals Strategy Faces Refining Gaps
U.S. efforts to strengthen critical-mineral supply chains have reduced China’s share of rare-earth refining, but China’s broader position in mineral processing remains strong. International Energy Agency data cited in a September 15 report showed China’s average share of non-rare-earth critical-mineral refining increased from 70% in 2023 to 72% in 2025. Key Takeaways U.S. and Malaysian investment reduced China’s rare-earth refining share from more than 90% in 2023 to 85% in 2025. China’s average share of non-rare-earth critical-mineral refining rose from 70% to 72% over the same period. China processed 70% to 95% of global lithium, cobalt, phosphate, manganese and graphite in 2025. The U.S. has pursued domestic production, international partnerships, government financing and mineral stockpiling. The International Energy Agency forecasts global critical-mineral demand will at least double by 2040. U.S. Investment Reduces China’s Share of Rare-Earth Refining Investment in rare-earth refining by the United States and Malaysia helped reduce China’s share of that segment from more than 90% in 2023 to 85% in 2025, according to International Energy Agency data cited in a September 15 report. The change shows that additional refining capacity outside China has reduced concentration in the rare-earth segment. The reduction, however, has been narrower than the
U.S. Producer Prices Rise 5.4%, Raising Fed Rate Hike Bets
U.S. producer inflation accelerated in August, with prices for final demand rising 0.4% from July and 5.4% over
Anthropic AI Economy Model Maps GDP and Job Risk by 2030
Anthropic AI Economy Model puts a sharp 2030 trade-off into view: U.S. output rises in every scenario the
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
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 3% of GDP. The development has increased attention on the relationship between higher interest rates, the annual budget deficit and the cost of servicing publicly held U.S. government debt. Key Takeaways The
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
NEWS
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
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
Must-See Picks
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
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
BUSINESS
Global Food Price Outlook Hits Three-Year High on Crop Risks
Global food price levels reached their highest point since January 2023 in July 2026 as wheat, maize, sugar and vegetable oils moved higher. New data
