Jerry Lin
The Latest
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Fed Chair Powell Warns Trump Tariffs Are Driving Inflation Above 2% and Threatening Job Growth
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policies have become a primary force pushing U.S. inflation above the central bank's 2% target, complicating efforts to sustain maximum employment and price stability. Speaking at a press conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Dec. 10, Powell made clear that tariffs are now a central variable shaping monetary policy decisions. 
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policies have become a primary force pushing U.S. inflation above the central bank's 2% target, complicating efforts to sustain maximum employment and price stability. Speaking at a press conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Dec. 10, Powell made clear that tariffs are now a central variable shaping monetary policy decisions. -
Mexico Targets China, India with 50% Import Duties as USMCA Review Looms
Mexico's decision to impose steep tariff hikes on more than 1,400 imported products is sending ripples across global supply chains, drawing criticism from analysts, foreign governments and major automakers from India to China. The legislation-approved by both chambers of Congress on Wednesday and backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum's Morena party-raises duties as high as 50% beginning in January. 
Mexico's decision to impose steep tariff hikes on more than 1,400 imported products is sending ripples across global supply chains, drawing criticism from analysts, foreign governments and major automakers from India to China. The legislation-approved by both chambers of Congress on Wednesday and backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum's Morena party-raises duties as high as 50% beginning in January. -
Fed Delivers Third Rate Cut, Signals Slower Easing as Inflation Seen Above 2% Through 2028
The Federal Reserve delivered its third interest-rate cut in four months and its lowest policy setting since 2022, but deep internal divisions and cautious guidance signaled that further easing will be harder to achieve and likely slower. 
The Federal Reserve delivered its third interest-rate cut in four months and its lowest policy setting since 2022, but deep internal divisions and cautious guidance signaled that further easing will be harder to achieve and likely slower. -
Mortgage Rates Jump to 6.32% Ahead of Fed Meeting as Treasury Yields Rise and Buyers Face Renewed Squeeze
Mortgage rates climbed to 6.32% on Monday, surprising prospective homebuyers just one day before the Federal Reserve begins its final policy meeting of 2025. The jump, reported by The Mortgage Reports, lifted the average 30-year fixed rate by five basis points to 6.324%, signaling that lenders may be moving preemptively ahead of Wednesday's widely expected interest-rate cut. The increase adds pressure at a time when rising job losses, elevated inflation and weakening affordability are already reshaping the U.S. housing market. 
Mortgage rates climbed to 6.32% on Monday, surprising prospective homebuyers just one day before the Federal Reserve begins its final policy meeting of 2025. The jump, reported by The Mortgage Reports, lifted the average 30-year fixed rate by five basis points to 6.324%, signaling that lenders may be moving preemptively ahead of Wednesday's widely expected interest-rate cut. The increase adds pressure at a time when rising job losses, elevated inflation and weakening affordability are already reshaping the U.S. housing market. -
China’s Trade Surplus Tops $1.08 Trillion as Exports Rise 5.9% Despite U.S. Shipments Plunging 29%
China's exports rebounded sharply in November, rising 5.9% year-over-year to $330.3 billion and pushing the country's trade surplus above $1 trillion for the first time, even as shipments to the United States plunged nearly 29%, according to customs data released Monday. The figures underscore Beijing's growing reliance on diversified export markets as U.S. demand continues to weaken. 
China's exports rebounded sharply in November, rising 5.9% year-over-year to $330.3 billion and pushing the country's trade surplus above $1 trillion for the first time, even as shipments to the United States plunged nearly 29%, according to customs data released Monday. The figures underscore Beijing's growing reliance on diversified export markets as U.S. demand continues to weaken. -
Oil Prices Edge Higher, but Wall Street Warns Brent Could Crash to $30s as Supply Glut Builds
Oil prices held modest gains on Wednesday as Brent crude traded near $63 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate hovered around $59, even as Wall Street banks and commodity executives warned that a historic supply glut could push global benchmarks into the $30s. The outlook comes as OPEC+, the U.S., Russia, Venezuela, and China dominate investor focus, creating uncertainty in energy markets already bracing for what analysts say could be years of oversupply. 
Oil prices held modest gains on Wednesday as Brent crude traded near $63 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate hovered around $59, even as Wall Street banks and commodity executives warned that a historic supply glut could push global benchmarks into the $30s. The outlook comes as OPEC+, the U.S., Russia, Venezuela, and China dominate investor focus, creating uncertainty in energy markets already bracing for what analysts say could be years of oversupply. -
U.S. Consumer Confidence Falls 6.8 Points to April Low as Job Concerns Surge, Fed Rate Cuts Expected
U.S. consumer confidence continued to deteriorate in November as households increasingly worried about job security, inflation and the broader economic outlook, according to new data from the Conference Board. The Consumer Confidence Index fell to 88.7, its lowest reading since April, marking a 6.8-point decline and underscoring growing pessimism across income and political groups. The results add pressure on Federal Reserve officials who have already signaled that further interest-rate reductions may be needed as economic sentiment weakens. 
U.S. consumer confidence continued to deteriorate in November as households increasingly worried about job security, inflation and the broader economic outlook, according to new data from the Conference Board. The Consumer Confidence Index fell to 88.7, its lowest reading since April, marking a 6.8-point decline and underscoring growing pessimism across income and political groups. The results add pressure on Federal Reserve officials who have already signaled that further interest-rate reductions may be needed as economic sentiment weakens. -
Global Markets Plunge as Fed Official Warns of 'Eye-Popping' Job Losses
Global financial markets fell sharply this week as investors reacted to a stark warning from a senior Federal Reserve official who predicted "eye-popping" levels of job losses if current economic momentum deteriorates. The comment, delivered anonymously in private discussions referenced by market analysts, spread quickly through trading desks and social-media platforms, intensifying fears that the United States and other major economies may be heading toward a synchronized downturn. 
Global financial markets fell sharply this week as investors reacted to a stark warning from a senior Federal Reserve official who predicted "eye-popping" levels of job losses if current economic momentum deteriorates. The comment, delivered anonymously in private discussions referenced by market analysts, spread quickly through trading desks and social-media platforms, intensifying fears that the United States and other major economies may be heading toward a synchronized downturn. -
U.S. Gold Reset Plan Sparks Fight Over Bitcoin Reserve as Debt Heads Toward $50 Trillion
Debate in Washington over proposals for a national "gold reset" has escalated as lawmakers weigh whether revaluing U.S. gold reserves could help fund a federal Bitcoin stockpile, renewing comparisons to the Bretton Woods monetary system that anchored the postwar economy. 
Debate in Washington over proposals for a national "gold reset" has escalated as lawmakers weigh whether revaluing U.S. gold reserves could help fund a federal Bitcoin stockpile, renewing comparisons to the Bretton Woods monetary system that anchored the postwar economy. -
Bitcoin Sinks Below $90,000 as $1.2 Trillion Crypto Sell-Off Sparks Global Market Jitters
Bitcoin fell sharply on Tuesday, sliding below $90,000 for the first time since April and wiping out its 2025 gains as risk-off sentiment rippled through global markets. The decline coincided with a broader pullback in technology and AI-linked equities, intensifying scrutiny over the cryptocurrency's influence on asset prices as macro uncertainty deepens. By late afternoon, Bitcoin hovered near $91,000 after touching an intraday low of $89,259, according to FactSet. 
Bitcoin fell sharply on Tuesday, sliding below $90,000 for the first time since April and wiping out its 2025 gains as risk-off sentiment rippled through global markets. The decline coincided with a broader pullback in technology and AI-linked equities, intensifying scrutiny over the cryptocurrency's influence on asset prices as macro uncertainty deepens. By late afternoon, Bitcoin hovered near $91,000 after touching an intraday low of $89,259, according to FactSet.
