Economic & Market Watch

In the News

Economy

• U.S. employers unexpectedly shed 23,000 jobs in July. The weaker-than-expected labor report has increased attention on upcoming inflation data as investors reassess the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.
• Treasury yields were little changed at the start of the week as investors are focused on this week's Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index reports, which are expected to provide the next major indication of whether inflation is easing.

Markets

• West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures traded near $79/barrel Monday morning, rising about 1.5% from the previous trading session as renewed uncertainty over reopening the Strait of Hormuz heightened concerns about global oil supplies.
• U.S. stock futures were little changed after the S&P 500 reached a record high last week, with investors awaiting key inflation reports that could shape expectations for Fed policy.

Current Events

• Meta launched Muse Glimmer, a downloadable AI model that can run directly on a personal computer. The 30-billion-parameter model is designed to operate efficiently on a single graphics card, lowering hardware requirements. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company's goal is to broadly distribute superintelligence, giving individuals control over how it is used rather than centralizing access.
• A Wall Street Journal analysis of private credit quarterly reports finds that loan health and investor returns are worsening as default rates are rising.

Meet the Team

CFC's economic research team—John Suter, Sam Kem and Antony Davies—share their expert, yet easily digestible, perspective on what you need to know.

Have feedback about the podcast? A topic you'd like the EMW team to cover? Get in touch at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Trading Economics