Social Security, Medicare Changes for 2025
In 2025, Social Security recipients will see a 2.5% cost of living increase, while some public pensioners will receive additional benefits due to the Social Security Fairness Act eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. Medicare Part D will have a $2,000 annual o...
Social Security, Medicare Changes for 2025
In 2025, Social Security recipients will see a 2.5% cost of living increase, while some public pensioners will receive additional benefits due to the Social Security Fairness Act eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. Medicare Part D will have a $2,000 annual o...
Progress
40% Bias Score
US Stock Market: Record Highs Fuel Overvaluation Fears
Fueled by tech gains and a strong economy, the US stock market saw record highs in 2024, but experts warn of overvaluation, potential 20%+ market corrections, and significant risks to consumer spending.
US Stock Market: Record Highs Fuel Overvaluation Fears
Fueled by tech gains and a strong economy, the US stock market saw record highs in 2024, but experts warn of overvaluation, potential 20%+ market corrections, and significant risks to consumer spending.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Mortgage Rates Surge to 6.97%, Plunging Demand 21.9%
Mortgage application volume dropped 21.9% in the two weeks ending December 27, 2024, as 30-year fixed mortgage rates increased to 6.97%, impacting both purchase and refinance applications during the year-end slowdown; purchase applications were 17% lower year-over-year.
Mortgage Rates Surge to 6.97%, Plunging Demand 21.9%
Mortgage application volume dropped 21.9% in the two weeks ending December 27, 2024, as 30-year fixed mortgage rates increased to 6.97%, impacting both purchase and refinance applications during the year-end slowdown; purchase applications were 17% lower year-over-year.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Diverging Economies: Limited US Rate Cuts, Euro Under Pressure
Diverging US and European economies, rising global debt, and inflationary pressures from Trump's policies will likely lead to limited US interest rate cuts, a strengthening dollar, and potential challenges for emerging markets and the Euro, while European bonds present an attractive alternative.
Diverging Economies: Limited US Rate Cuts, Euro Under Pressure
Diverging US and European economies, rising global debt, and inflationary pressures from Trump's policies will likely lead to limited US interest rate cuts, a strengthening dollar, and potential challenges for emerging markets and the Euro, while European bonds present an attractive alternative.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Record US Retail Store Closures in 2024
Over 7,300 US retail stores closed in 2024, a 57% increase from 2023, due to high inflation, increased online competition, and strategic errors by mid-sized chains; this follows a 2020 pandemic-related closure surge, impacting various retail sectors.
Record US Retail Store Closures in 2024
Over 7,300 US retail stores closed in 2024, a 57% increase from 2023, due to high inflation, increased online competition, and strategic errors by mid-sized chains; this follows a 2020 pandemic-related closure surge, impacting various retail sectors.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Mortgage Rates Surge to Near 7%, Plunging Demand
During the two weeks ending December 27, 2024, total mortgage application volume plummeted 21.9% due to a rise in the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to 6.97%, impacting both purchase and refinance applications significantly, particularly given the typical seasonal sl...
Mortgage Rates Surge to Near 7%, Plunging Demand
During the two weeks ending December 27, 2024, total mortgage application volume plummeted 21.9% due to a rise in the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to 6.97%, impacting both purchase and refinance applications significantly, particularly given the typical seasonal sl...
Progress
36% Bias Score
Economic Realities and Logistical Challenges of Mass Deportations in the US
President-elect Trump's plan to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants faces economic and logistical hurdles, as these immigrants contribute approximately \$96.7 billion annually in taxes (2022 data), and mass deportations are complex and costly. Experts suggest that deportations might instead ta...
Economic Realities and Logistical Challenges of Mass Deportations in the US
President-elect Trump's plan to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants faces economic and logistical hurdles, as these immigrants contribute approximately \$96.7 billion annually in taxes (2022 data), and mass deportations are complex and costly. Experts suggest that deportations might instead ta...
Progress
48% Bias Score
High Credit Card Debt Prompts January Push for Debt Forgiveness
Rising inflation and high credit card interest rates are increasing financial strain on Americans; consumer credit card debt rose from \$1.14 trillion to \$1.17 trillion between Q2 and Q3 2024, prompting consideration of debt settlement options like credit card debt forgiveness to alleviate the burd...
High Credit Card Debt Prompts January Push for Debt Forgiveness
Rising inflation and high credit card interest rates are increasing financial strain on Americans; consumer credit card debt rose from \$1.14 trillion to \$1.17 trillion between Q2 and Q3 2024, prompting consideration of debt settlement options like credit card debt forgiveness to alleviate the burd...
Progress
44% Bias Score
US Credit Card Defaults Soar to 14-Year High
US credit card loan defaults soared to \$46 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a 50% increase from 2023 and the highest level since 2010, disproportionately affecting lower-income households with zero savings rates, according to a Financial Times report citing BankRegData.
US Credit Card Defaults Soar to 14-Year High
US credit card loan defaults soared to \$46 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a 50% increase from 2023 and the highest level since 2010, disproportionately affecting lower-income households with zero savings rates, according to a Financial Times report citing BankRegData.
Progress
28% Bias Score
Record U.S. Credit Card Defaults Signal Economic Slowdown
U.S. credit card defaults reached a 14-year high in 2024, with \$46 billion in delinquent loans written off during the first nine months—a 50 percent increase year-over-year—primarily impacting low-income households struggling with inflation and high interest rates, potentially slowing economic grow...
Record U.S. Credit Card Defaults Signal Economic Slowdown
U.S. credit card defaults reached a 14-year high in 2024, with \$46 billion in delinquent loans written off during the first nine months—a 50 percent increase year-over-year—primarily impacting low-income households struggling with inflation and high interest rates, potentially slowing economic grow...
Progress
40% Bias Score
US Jobless Claims Hit Eight-Month Low Amidst Economic Resilience
Initial US jobless claims dropped to a eight-month low of 211,000 last week, signaling a robust labor market and influencing the Federal Reserve's decision to reduce interest rate cuts; however, challenges remain with some workers facing prolonged unemployment and construction spending showing mixed...
US Jobless Claims Hit Eight-Month Low Amidst Economic Resilience
Initial US jobless claims dropped to a eight-month low of 211,000 last week, signaling a robust labor market and influencing the Federal Reserve's decision to reduce interest rate cuts; however, challenges remain with some workers facing prolonged unemployment and construction spending showing mixed...
Progress
36% Bias Score
Mortgage Rates Hit Six-Month High at Nearly 7%, Hampering Housing Market
Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged nearly 7% the week ending January 2, 2025, the highest level in six months, driven by rising 10-year Treasury yields despite recent Fed rate cuts, leading to decreased mortgage applications and persistent affordability challenges.
Mortgage Rates Hit Six-Month High at Nearly 7%, Hampering Housing Market
Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged nearly 7% the week ending January 2, 2025, the highest level in six months, driven by rising 10-year Treasury yields despite recent Fed rate cuts, leading to decreased mortgage applications and persistent affordability challenges.
Progress
48% Bias Score