This week on Inside the Economy, we discuss the overall consumer resilience, the S&P 500, and potential implications for investors. New home inventory has climbed steadily back up to nearly 500,000 units, marking a significant recovery from the historic lows seen a decade ago. Are we finally seeing enough increase in supply to help ease buyer competition, or is inventory still missing the mark? U.S. spending on data center construction has skyrocketed, officially outpacing traditional office and healthcare building markets. Where does this measure alongside educational, and transportation buildings? Meanwhile, PCE inflation measures have cooled dramatically from their historic peaks, settling into a much steadier range heading into mid-2026. Just how long can we expect this balanced inflation environment to last? Federal spending continues to outpace government receipts, maintaining a wide deficit gap even as revenues steadily climb. What could it take to close the distance between incoming tax dollars and national outlays? On the global front, average daily foreign exchange trading volume has climbed past 9.5 trillion dollars, jumping more than a quarter since 2025. What is driving this massive expansion in global currency trading? Aramco has cut its main oil pricing differential to its lowest point since 2020. What could this change in pricing mean for global energy markets and consumer costs ahead? Tune in to learn more.
Key Takeaways:
- Headline CPI at 3.5%
- Crude Oil price at $81.22 per barrel
- 30-year mortgage at 6.55%
