by Carol Champagne | Sep 20, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps, Swap & Cap Contract Negotiation
The Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.25 percent last week in an attempt to slow inflation. This is the first time since 2023 that the benchmark rate has gone up. The federal funds rate is now in the range of 3.75 to 4.0 percent. The rate hike was unanimous, and the...
by Carol Champagne | Sep 13, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps, Swap & Cap Contract Negotiation
The consumer price index was up 3.4 percent, annualized, in August, the same reading as reported in July. However, month over month inflation rose 0.4 percent from July, four times the 0.1 percent increase from June to July. This inflation report did not deliver the...
by Carol Champagne | Sep 7, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps, Swap & Cap Contract Negotiation
The US economy added 162,000 jobs in August, far above the market’s expectations for 53,000. The unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, as expected. The US added an average of 80,000 jobs per month in 2026, compared to 10,000 jobs per month during 2025. The August data...
by Carol Champagne | Aug 30, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps, Swap & Cap Contract Negotiation
The annual economic symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming was held last week. It was Kevin Warsh’s first appearance as the Chair of the Federal Reserve. His statement indicated the Fed is not done with their fight to contain inflation, and recent price readings have not...
by Carol Champagne | Aug 24, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps
The minutes from the FOMC’s July meeting were released and they suggest higher rates are likely unless inflation starts to slow down. The committee members voted 9-3 to hold rate steady, with the three dissenters having called for a 0.25 percent rate increase. A rate...