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 17, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps, Swap & Cap Contract Negotiation
A moderation in the inflation rate in July is encouraging. The Fed has slightly stronger case to keep interest rates steady, rather than recognizing the need to raise interest rates in September. A 2.9 percent decline in energy prices, resulting from on-and-off peace...
by Carol Champagne | Aug 9, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps, Swap & Cap Contract Negotiation
The Department of Labor Statistics reported the US economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate ticked down slightly to 4.1 percent. Economists expected a gain of 89,000 jobs. The shortfall renews concerns about the underlying strength of the labor...
by Carol Champagne | Aug 3, 2026 | Interest Rate Swaps & Caps, Swap & Cap Contract Negotiation
The Federal Reserve elected to keep rates steady at their meeting last week, but the decision was not unanimous. Three members voted to raise interest rates as pressure builds to control inflation, which has been above the targeted rate for the last five years. The...