📊 Economic Indicators |
Federal Reserve |
- The Federal Reserve shared notes from meetings in May and June 2025 where they talked about the discount rate, which is the interest rate banks pay when they borrow money directly from the Fed. This rate is different from the usual interest rate that affects most loans. The Fed did not announce any changes to this discount rate during these meetings, meaning it stayed the same. Keeping this rate steady helps banks manage their money without sudden costs, which can keep borrowing and lending stable. This matters because stable borrowing costs help businesses and people get loans more easily, which supports jobs and keeps prices from rising too fast. Read full document →
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Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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In June 2025, the amount of money workers earned each hour after adjusting for price changes (called “real average hourly earnings”) went down slightly by 0.1% compared to May, because prices rose a bit faster than wages. When looking at the whole week, workers earned 0.4% less because they also worked a little less time. Over the past year, from June 2024 to June 2025, hourly earnings after price changes went up by 1.0%, but weekly earnings only rose 0.7% because people worked slightly fewer hours. For workers who do hands-on jobs without supervising others, their hourly earnings stayed the same from May to June, but weekly earnings dropped 0.6% due to fewer hours worked. Over the year, their hourly earnings rose 1.3%, but weekly earnings increased only 0.7% because of shorter workweeks. This matters because it shows that while wages are growing a bit, rising prices and fewer hours worked mean people might not feel much richer, affecting how much they can buy and their overall financial well-being. Read full document →
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In June 2025, the prices people pay for everyday things went up by 0.3%, which is a bit more than the 0.1% rise in May. Over the past year, prices increased by 2.7%. The biggest reason for the price rise in June was housing costs, which went up by 0.2%. Energy prices, like gas and electricity, also rose by about 0.9%, while food prices increased by 0.3%. Some things like used cars and airline tickets got cheaper. Over the year, food prices rose 3%, with eggs getting much more expensive by 27.3%. Energy prices actually fell a little over the year by 0.8%, mainly because gas got cheaper. These changes show that while some costs are going up, others are steady or falling, which affects how much money families need to buy what they need. This matters because when prices rise, people might have to spend more on things like rent, food, and gas, which can make it harder to save money or pay for other things. Read full document →
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Pew Research |
- This report looked at how people in 25 countries feel about China, its leader Xi Jinping, and its role in the world. It found that since last year, more people in 15 countries have a positive view of China, with 41% of adults now saying China is the world’s top economy, close to the 39% who say the U.S. is. People in middle-income countries like Turkey, Indonesia, and Kenya tend to like China more and think Chinese investment is good for their countries, while people in richer countries are less positive. However, many also worry about problems like debt owed to China and its military power. In some places, the U.S. is seen as a bigger threat than China. These views matter because they show how countries feel about global leaders and economic ties, which can affect trade, politics, and peace around the world. Read full document →
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