The bedrock of the U.S. economy, consumer spending, is showing concerning cracks, raising red flags for investors and economists alike. A confluence of a softening labor market and declining consumer confidence has put the stock market on edge, with upcoming retail earnings reports now serving as critical barometers for
The global economic landscape is bracing for significant turbulence as the United States implements a fresh wave of tariffs, targeting Indian products and initiating a major investigation into furniture imports. These aggressive protectionist measures, enacted by the U.S. administration in 2025, are sending shockwaves through international trade, exacerbating inflationary
Shares of luxury furniture retailer RH (NYSE:RH) fell 7.1% in the morning session after President Donald Trump announced a planned 'major' tariff investigation on furniture imports. The potential for new tariffs on imported goods sparked investor concern, leading to a sell-off in several furniture company stocks. RH, which relies on international manufacturing and sourcing, was among the hardest hit. Other companies in the sector, including Wayfair and Arhaus, also experienced significant declines. The threat of tariffs raises concerns about potentially higher costs for these companies, which could pressure profit margins or lead to increased prices for consumers.
Shares of luxury furniture retailer RH are plummeting Monday morning. The stock is volatile following President Donald Trump's announcement of a national security probe into furniture imports.
A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after the major indices continued to pull back, with technology stocks accounting for most of the market's largest decliners.
A number of stocks fell in the morning session after a hotter-than-expected wholesale inflation report fueled concerns about slowing consumer spending. The market was rattled by a Labor Department report showing the Producer Price Index (PPI), a measure of wholesale inflation, jumped 0.9% in July, significantly exceeding economists' expectations of a 0.2% rise. This was the largest monthly increase since March 2022, reigniting worries that businesses will be forced to pass higher costs on to consumers, who are already showing signs of price sensitivity. This inflation data has fanned concerns that U.S. tariffs on imported goods could start to translate into higher prices for shoppers. The inflation report landed amid growing evidence of consumer caution, with recent reports highlighting that shoppers are cutting back on non-essential spending, seeking out sales, and trading down to cheaper brands.
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after markets continued to rally amid growing investor optimism for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. This optimism was spurred by a recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) report that did not show runaway inflation, increasing the perceived probability of a rate cut to over 90%. Lower interest rates are generally seen as a positive for the economy as they reduce borrowing costs for consumers, which can stimulate spending on non-essential goods. Consequently, investors bid up shares in the apparel, home furnishings, and automotive retail industries in anticipation of stronger consumer demand.
A number of stocks jumped in the morning session after a tame inflation report boosted investor hopes for an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. The latest Consumer Price Index data showed the annual inflation rate held steady at 2.7%, reassuring investors who had feared that tariffs could lead to a spike in consumer prices. This milder-than-expected reading gives the Federal Reserve more flexibility to consider lowering interest rates, possibly as soon as next month.
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after markets rebounded following a sharp sell-off in the previous trading session as a weaker-than-expected July jobs report fueled investor hopes for a potential interest rate cut. The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, falling well short of the 110,000 expected by economists. This disappointing data has led to a dramatic shift in market sentiment regarding the Federal Reserve's next move. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a September interest rate cut has surged from around 40% to over 80%. Lower interest rates generally stimulate the economy by making borrowing cheaper for consumers. This can lead to increased spending on discretionary items, such as apparel and home goods, which directly benefits consumer retail companies. The prospect of more accommodative monetary policy is therefore boosting investor confidence in the sector's outlook.
A number of stocks fell in the morning session as the broader market tumbled in the morning session after a surprisingly weak U.S. jobs report and the announcement of new, widespread tariffs on imported goods. The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, falling far short of the 109,000 forecast. Compounding the issue, job gains for May and June were revised down by a combined 258,000, signaling what some see as “increasing signs of fragility” in the labor market. Simultaneously, the White House announced new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 41%, on goods from 92 countries. This “double whammy” of negative news has intensified fears that ongoing trade wars are damaging the U.S. economy. The combination of a weaker labor market and new trade barriers has rattled investor confidence, fueling expectations that the Federal Reserve may be forced to cut interest rates to support the economy.
In a rare bipartisan move, the Senate Banking Committee has unanimously advanced a comprehensive housing bill aimed at addressing the ongoing housing crisis in the United States.
