
Divisions Grow Inside Fed Ahead of Decision on September Rate Cut
In interviews, the Cleveland Fed’s president opposed cuts citing rising inflation, while the Boston Fed’s president signaled openness amid labor market concerns.
Broad-based index now about 1.5% below record high; Walmart slips.
Japan’s consumer inflation remained well above the central bank’s target of 2% in July, reinforcing expectations of a coming interest-rate increase.
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Peter Thiel Leads Pack of Investors Piling Into Ether
Proponents see Ethereum becoming the platform of choice for the financial world.
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U.K. Consumers Sunnier as BOE Cuts Rates But Economic Fears Remain
U.K. consumers felt a little better about their finances this month as the Bank of England lowered borrowing costs, though sentiment remains weak amid wider economic turmoil.
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High Auto Tariffs on EU Will Stay Until Bloc Moves to Reduce Levies
The auto tariffs will decrease to 15% when the European Union introduces legislation to reduce rates on U.S. goods.
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How Trump Will Decide Which Chips Act Companies Must Give Up Equity
The administration isn’t eyeing equity in semiconductor companies that are increasing U.S. investment like TSMC and Micron, but may take stakes in others.
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Business Activity Gains Pace as Manufacturing Rebounds
U.S. business activity expanded at its fastest pace this year as the factory sector rebounded strongly, though trade tariffs were fueling inflation in input prices, according to the S&P Global Flash U.S. Composite PMI.
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Canada PM Carney Touts ‘Productive’ Call With President Trump Over Trade
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump agreed to reconvene shortly to discuss further.
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Home Sales Surprisingly Rose in July While Prices Eased
The unexpected pickup in sales activity reflected a slight improvement in affordability as home-price growth slows.
In the week through Aug. 16, new jobless-claims filings rose to 235,000, up from 224,000 a week earlier. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal were forecasting 225,000 claims.
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European Business Takes Trump Tariffs in Stride
European business activity continues to prove resilient into the second half of the year, surveys showed, despite the American trade tariffs that have weighed on some companies.
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Trump Turns Up the Heat. Fed Chair Jerome Powell Tries to Keep His Cool.
The president and his allies accuse Powell of dragging his feet on interest-rate cuts, in a caustic and unprecedented pressure campaign.
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Treasury Market Awaits Jackson Hole to Get Out of Its Summer Doldrums
After jumping around earlier this year, yields on key Treasuries have had little movement in recent weeks.
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More U.S. Companies Plan to Slow Hiring in Second Half of 2025
Twice as many employers as last year say they are planning to pull back on filling jobs, according to a new Conference Board survey.
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Lumber prices are tumbling. Here’s what that means for the housing market now.
Many home builders, contractors and retailers wagered that higher U.S. tariffs on imports would boost the cost of lumber, while lower interest rates would lift demand for the building material. Those bets have failed to pay off.
Artificial intelligence – which a new report claims doesn’t even work for businesses 95% of the time – is the cause of the housing market rut.

