Money Talk Podcast

Money Talk Podcast
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Independent investment advisor Bob Landaas makes sense of the latest financial developments and how they matter to individual investors. After nearly 20 years with his own popular radio show and almost a decade on public television across the country, Bob shares his plain-spoken insight via podcasts updated each Friday.

  1. 3D AGO

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday March 13, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Dave Sandstrom John Sandstrom (with Max Hoelzl, Joel Dresang, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Week in Review (March 9-13, 2026) Significant Economic Indicators & Reports Monday No major announcements Tuesday The National Association of Realtors said the pace of existing home sales rose 1.7% in February, though it was still behind the year-ago rate and around the lowest in more than 30 years. The trade group called demand “muted” as lower mortgage rates and rising wages combined to make housing more affordable than it has been since March 2022. The median sales price rose to $398,000, up 0.3% from February 2025, the 32nd consecutive increase. Wednesday The broadest measure of inflation stayed steady in February. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% from February 2025, unadjusted for seasonality. That was the same rate as January and still above the Federal Reserve’s long-term target of 2%. Shelter costs led the monthly uptick. Gas prices rose for the first time in three months — prior to subsequent spikes spurred by the Iran war. The core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy costs, was up 2.5% from the year before, also the same rate as January. Thursday The U.S. trade deficit narrowed by 25% in January to $54.5 billion. The Bureau of Economic Analysis said exports rose 5.5% from December, led by non-monetary gold and other precious metals, as well as computers and civilian aircraft. Imports shrank 0.7%, led by pharmaceuticals and automobiles. Since January 2025, the trade gap contracted by almost 58% as exports expanded 10% and imports fell 11%. The four-week moving average for initial unemployment claims fell for the third time in four weeks, suggesting employers continue to be reluctant to let workers leave. According to data from the Labor Department, the four-week number was 41% below the 59-year average. More than 2.2 million individuals were receiving jobless benefits in the latest week, up 3.5% from the week before and down less than 1% from the year before. The Commerce Department said housing starts and building permits in January continued to track below their pre-COVID levels. Although the annual pace of housing starts rose 7% from December and 9.5% from January 2025, it has been below the pre-pandemic level for nearly two years. Building permits fell both from the month before and the year before. Meanwhile, the pace of houses under construction fell again, sinking 26% below their record pace in late 2022. Friday The U.S. economy grew slower than previously estimated at the end of 2025. The gross domestic product rose at an annual rate of 1.7% in the fourth quarter, down from a preliminary report of 2.4% and below the 4.4% pace in the third quarter. The Bureau of Economic Analysis blamed the downward revision on weaker consumer spending and private investments and greater declines in government spending and exports. Adjusted for Inflation, GDP grew 2.1% in 2025, the weakest since a 2.1% decline in 2020. In a possible sign of consumer restraint, personal spending fell slightly behind the pace of personal income in January, raising the personal savings rate to its highest level in six months. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a savings rate of 4.5% of disposable income, which has been below the pre-pandemic level of 7.5% for more than four years. The same report showed the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation staying above its long-range target of 2%. The personal consumption expenditure index was up 2.8% from the year before, vs. 2.9% in December. The last time it was below 2% was February 2021. Durable goods orders were unchanged in January as a plunge in demand for commercial aircraft offset scattered gains elsewhere. The Commerce Department reported that orders overall ran 9% higher than the year before. Excluding volatile transportation orders, demand rose 0.4% from the month before and was up 4.4% from January 2025. Core capital goods orders, a proxy for business investments, were unchanged for the month and up 2.9% from the year before. U.S. employers posted 6.9 million job openings in January, up marginally from December but below the pre-COVID level for the third month in a row. Postings were down 43% from their peak nearly five years ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Based on openings and unemployed job seekers, the supply of available labor has outpaced demand since July. That’s after more than four years of the balance favoring workers. The number and rate of workers voluntarily quitting – an indication of worker confidence – stayed below pre-pandemic levels for the 25th month in a row. The University of Michigan said consumer sentiment reversed course following the onset of war in Iran. Polling done before Feb. 28 showed improvements in consumer outlooks, the university said, but opinions plunged thereafter regardless of respondents’ incomes, ages or political affiliations. Overall, consumers had lower expectations for their personal finances and higher forecasts for inflation. Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 22105, down 282 points or 1.3% S&P 500 – 6632, down 108 points or 1.6% Dow Jones Industrial Average – 46560, down 942 points or 2.0% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.29%, up 0.15 point

    21 min

  2. MAR 6

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday March 6, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Tom Pappenfus (with Joel Dresang, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Week in Review (March 2-6, 2026) Significant Economic Indicators & Reports Monday A two-month expansion of the manufacturing sector slowed in February, just as it did the year before. The Institute for Supply Management said its survey-based manufacturing index signaled the second consecutive month of growth after 10 months of contraction. Prior to 2025, the index shrank 26 months in a row. The trade group said 21% of the manufacturing industry’s gross domestic product contracted in February, following 20% in January. The index suggested the overall U.S. economy was growing at an annual rate of 1.7%. Tuesday No significant reports Wednesday The service sector of the U.S. economy expanded in February for the 20th month in a row and at the highest level since mid-2022. The Institute for Supply Management said the four most impactful index components rose together for the third month in a row, repeating a streak from a year ago. The ISM’s survey of supply managers reported more uncertainty about trade policies following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found some tariffs illegal. But managers also suggested companies were learning to accommodate volatility in tariff rules. Thursday The Bureau of Labor Statistics said worker productivity rose at an annual pace of 2.8%  in the fourth quarter of 2025. The rate resulted from the annual pace of output rising 2.6% while hours worked decreased at a 0.2% pace. Productivity advanced 2.2% over the last four quarters, equal to the average since the end of 2019. That compared to 1.5% annual growth in the previous 12-year business cycle and an average of 2.2% since 1947. Labor costs rose 1.3% in the last year, and the share of output accrued to workers through compensation reached a record low in data going back to 1947. The Labor Department reported the four-week moving average for initial unemployment claims fell for the second time in three weeks. It remained 40% below its average since 1967. Total claims for the latest week declined 2.9% from the week before to just under 2.2 million. That was 1% lower than the year before. Friday Employers cut 92,000 jobs on net in February, the second decline in three months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate edged up to 4.4%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly jobs report, combining payroll data and household surveys, offered mixed signals on a generally weaker labor market. On the plus side, the average hourly wage continued to outpace broad inflation, and the share of prime-age workers either employed or looking for jobs stayed near the highest level since 2001. On the other hand, a measure of underemployment remained above the pre-pandemic mark for the 26th month in a row, and — outside the pandemic — the employment of temporary-help workers dropped to the lowest count since 2012. Retail sales declined in January as seven of 13 categories reported lower revenue, the Commerce Department reported. Gas stations were among the decliners, reflecting lower gas prices in January. But sales at bars and restaurants, an indicator of consumer confidence, fell for the third time in four months. Consumer spending drives about 70% of the U.S. economy, as measured by gross domestic product. Adjusted for inflation, total retail sales dropped for at least the second month in a row. Inflation data for October and November are missing because of a federal government shutdown. Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 22388, down 281 points or 1.2% S&P 500 – 6740, down 109 points or 1.6% Dow Jones Industrial Average – 47502, down 1476 points or 3.0% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.13%, up 0.17 point

    21 min

  3. FEB 27

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday Feb. 27, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Art Rothschild Steve Giles (with Max Hoelzl, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 22668, down 218 points or 1.0% S&P 500 – 6849, down 60 points or 0.9% Dow Jones Industrial Average – 48977, down 649 points or 1.3% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 3.96%, down 0.12 point

    21 min

  4. FEB 20

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday Feb. 20, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Steve Giles Tom Pappenfus (with Max Hoelzl, Joel Dresang, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Week in Review (Feb. 16-20, 2026) Significant Economic Indicators & Reports Monday Markets closed for Presidents Day Tuesday No major releases Wednesday Home construction gained slightly in December but continued to provide little relief to ongoing inventory shortages. The Commerce Department said the annual rate of housing starts rose 6% from November, though it was down 7% from the year-ago pace and has remained below the pre-pandemic level since mid-2023. The pace of housing permits also rose for December but kept under the pre-pandemic rate. The number of houses under construction was down 26% from its peak in November 2022. The Commerce Department said durable goods orders fell 1.4% in December, the second decline in three months. A dip in commercial aircraft orders led the drop-off. Excluding transportation equipment, demand for long-lasting manufactured items was up 0.9% from November and was up 2.8% from the year before. Core capital goods orders, a proxy for business investments, rose 0.6% for the month and were 3.5% ahead of December 2024. The Federal Reserve reported that industrial production rose 0.7% in January, led by a broad lift in manufacturing output. The 0.6% increase in factory production was the most since February and included the first gain for auto makers since August. Industries’ capacity utilization rate rose slightly in January but stayed below the long-term average, suggesting low potential for inflation. Thursday The U.S. trade deficit narrowed slightly in 2025, as the value of exports outpaced imports. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the 2025 trade gap was $901.5 billion, down 0.2% from the year before. Exports grew 6.2% in the year while imports rose 4.8%. Trade gaps detract from economic output, as measured by the gross domestic product. From November, the deficit widened 32.6% with exports declining 1.7% and imports rising 3.6%. The four-week moving average for initial unemployment insurance claims declined for the first time in four weeks, remaining 39% below the 59-year average, according to new Labor Department data. Some 2.2 million Americans claimed jobless benefits in the latest week, down 0.4% from the week before and up 0.9% from the same time in 2025. The Conference Board reported a 0.2% decline in its index of leading economic indicators in December. It was the fifth consecutive drop. In the last half of 2025, the index fell by 1.6%, an improvement from the 2.8% fall in the first half of 2026. The business research group said weak consumer expectations and meager factory orders led the decline. The Conference Board forecast 2.1% growth in U.S. gross domestic product in 2026, down slightly from estimates for 2025. Commitments to home buying slipped in January as sales activity remained the lowest in three decades. The pending home sales index of the National Association of Realtors declined 0.8% from December and was down 0.4% from January 2025. The trade group said lower mortgage rates have improved affordability and could spur another 550,000 home buyers into the market in 2026. But with ongoing inventory shortages, additional buyers could boost prices. Friday The U.S. economy grew at a 1.4% annual pace in the fourth quarter, down from 4.4% in the third quarter, according to a preliminary estimate by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Expansion of the gross domestic product slowed mostly because consumer spending decelerated but also as a result of a 17% decline in federal government spending, which shaved nearly 1.2 percentage points from the growth rate. For all of 2025, GDP rose 2.2%, down from a 2.4% increase in 2024 and the weakest in three years. The Federal Reserve Board’s preferred measure of inflation rose to 2.9% in December, its highest rate since March 2024. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported the Personal Consumption Expenditure index was down from a four-decade high of 7.2% in June 2022 but has stayed above the Fed’s long-range target of 2% since early 2021. The report also showed consumer spending rising 0.4% in December, outpacing the 0.3% gain in personal income. As a result, the personal saving rate fell to 3.6% of disposable income, its lowest point in more than three years. Sales of newly constructed houses slipped in December, as the annual pace dropped 1.7% from November to 745,000 houses. New home sales were up nearly 4% from the year before, as the rate rose above the pre-pandemic level for the second month in a row. The median sales price fell 2% from December 2024 to $414,400. The inventory of unsold new houses fell to 7.6 months’ worth of inventory at current sales rates, compared to less than six months’ just before the pandemic. The University of Michigan reported that its consumer sentiment index rose slightly from January. The reading was nearly 21% below where it stood in January 2025 as nearly half of all respondents said prices were eroding their personal finances. Sentiment was higher among consumers who were wealthier and had more education. Uncertainty and inflation expectations remained elevated historically but settled down from mid-2025 highs. Economists see consumer sentiment as a precursor to consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the U.S. gross domestic product. Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 22886, up 339 points or 1.5% S&P 500 – 6910, up 73 points or 1.1% Dow Jones Industrial Average – 49626, up 125 points or 0.3% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.09%, up 0.03 point .

    23 min

  5. FEB 13

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday Feb. 13, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Art Rothschild Adam Baley (with Max Hoelzl and Joel Dresang, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Week in Review (Feb. 9-13, 2026) Significant Economic Indicators & Reports Monday No major announcements Tuesday The Commerce Department reported no change in retail sales in December, following a 0.6% decline in the value of goods and services sold in November. Eight of 13 retail categories posted lower sales, led by furniture stores. Home-and-garden centers led the five categories that gained. Adjusted for inflation, retail sales declined by 0.3% in December, at least the fourth drop since April, with data missing from October because of the federal government shutdown. Wednesday U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January, far above the monthly pace of 15,000 in 2025. The employment situation report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics included other estimates surpassing analyst expectations, such as a 4.3% unemployment rate, down from 4.4% in December. The labor force participation rate of prime-age workers between 25 and 54 reached its highest point in nearly 25 years. Average wage increases continued to outpace overall inflation. Still, some measures suggested a harder employment market. The U-6 underemployment rate remained above the pre-pandemic level for the 26th month in a row. And employment in temporary help services — often a harbinger of job trends — stayed below the pre-pandemic mark for the 32nd month in a row. Thursday The four-week moving average for initial unemployment claims rose for the third week in a row but continued to indicate employer reluctance to let workers go. According to new data from the Labor Department, the rolling average of claims stayed 39% below the long-term average. Total jobless claims rose 3.5% from the week before, exceeding 2.2 million, but was 1.5% under the same time in 2025. The U.S. housing market remained the worst in more than 30 years in January, as the National Association of Realtors reported existing home sales dropped another 8.4%. The annual rate of unit sales was down 4.4% from the year-ago pace. And while extraordinarily cold and snowy weather contributed to low sales in January, the trade group continued to cite lack of supply for the industry’s woes. The median sales price rose 0.9% from the year before to $396,800, the 31st consecutive increase. But average wages rose faster than prices, and mortgage rates were lower than the year before, which improved affordability to the best level for buyers since March 2022. That’s when the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates to combat high inflation. Friday Despite another increase in housing costs in January, the overall inflation rate dipped to its lowest level since May. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said its Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% from December, led by shelter costs and food prices, which were partially offset by a 3.2% dip in gas prices. Compared to January 2025, the broadest measure of inflation rose 2.4%. That’s still above the Federal Reserve’s long-term target of 2% but down from a four-decade high of 9.1% in June 2022. Excluding volatile costs for food and energy items, the core CPI added 0.3% from December and was up 2.5% from the year before, the lowest rate since reaching 1.6% in May 2021. Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 23031, down 431 points or 1.8% S&P 500 – 6932, down 7 points or 0.1% Dow Jones Industrial – 50116, up 1223 points or 2.5% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.21%, down 0.04%

    23 min

  6. FEB 6

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday Feb. 6, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Tom Pappenfus Mike Hoelzl (with Max Hoelzl, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Week in Review (Feb. 2-6, 2026) Significant Economic Indicators & Reports Monday The manufacturing sector expanded in January for the first time in a year and only the second time in more than three years, according to the Institute for Supply Management. The trade group’s index, based on surveys of manufacturing supply managers, showed new orders growing for the first time since August and at the fastest pace in four years. Production also rose the most since early 2022, while employment contracted for the 28th month in a row. The ISM said 12% of manufacturing gross domestic product was in strong contraction in January, compared to 43% in December. Tuesday No major releases, in part because of the partial shutdown of the federal government. Wednesday Service industries, the largest segment of the U.S. economy, showed continued expansion in January. The Institute for Supply Management’s service index indicated growth for the 19th month in a row. The index level was unchanged from December and the highest since October 2024. Supply managers surveyed for the report continued to voice concerns over the impact and uncertainty of tariffs. The trade group said a trend in price increases deserved monitoring. Thursday The four-week moving average for initial unemployment claims rose for the second week in a row but continued to suggest a historically tight job market. According to data from the Labor Department, the latest four-week average was 41% below the all-time average, dating back to 1967. As an early measure of layoff trends, new jobless claims have signaled reluctance by employers to let workers go. Total claims fell 4.2% from the week before to just below 2.2 million, which was 1.2% lower than the year before. And while employers appear reluctant to dismiss workers, the number of job openings dropped in December to the lowest level since the pandemic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 6.5 million openings in December, down from a record 12.1 million in March 2022 and below the pre-pandemic mark for the first time since September 2020. The number and rate of worker quitting their jobs — a measure of worker confidence — have stayed below pre-pandemic levels since the end of 2023. Friday A report on jobs and employment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics was delayed because of the partial shutdown of the federal government. The University of Michigan said a preliminary measure of its consumer sentiment index showed essentially no change from January. Though it was the highest reading since August, it was down 11% from February 2025 and remained “relatively low from a historical perspective.” The survey-based report found consumers continuing to be concerned about their personal finances because of high prices and weakened job prospects. Stockholders tended to feel more confident. Expectations for inflation continued to outpace expectations before the pandemic. Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 23031, down 431 points or 1.8% Standard & Poor’s 500 – 6932, down 7 points or 0.1% Dow Jones Industrial – 50116, up 1223 points or 2.5% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.21%, down 0.04%

    19 min

  7. JAN 30

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday Jan. 30, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Mike Hoelzl Kendall Bauer (with Max Hoelzl, Joel Dresang, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Week in Review (Jan. 26-30) Significant Economic Indicators & Reports Monday Orders for commercial aircraft boosted durable goods orders in November, the Commerce Department reported. Total orders rose 5.3% from October, the third increase in four months, and were 7.3% ahead of their level in November 2024. Excluding transportation equipment, orders rose 0.5% for the month and were up 2.4% from the year before. Core capital goods orders, a proxy for business investment, gained 0.7% from October and were up 3.1% from November 2024. Tuesday Housing prices increased again in November, though less than overall inflation, according to the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller national index. The 1.4% gain was unchanged from October and compared to a 2.7% year-to-year increase in the cost of living, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. An executive with the index said it indicated the U.S. housing market is in a period of tepid growth. Data showed a divergence of markets geographically with prices rising 5.7% in Chicago and declining 3.9% in Tampa. Month to month seasonally adjusted prices fell in 15 of 20 major cities. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index fell in January to its lowest point since May 2014. The business research group said expectations sank across demographics including age, income and party affiliation. Expectation levels continued to signal near-term economic recession. Economists follow consumer confidence as a precursor to consumer spending, which drives about 70% of U.S. economic activity. Wednesday The policy-making body of the Federal Reserve Board announced no change to the overnight funds rate. Citing stabilizing unemployment and somewhat elevated inflation, the Federal Open Market Committee said it would hold the fed funds rate after dropping it three times in the last half of 2025. The rate is what banks charge one another. The Fed tends to raise it when it’s more concerned about inflation and to lower it when unemployment gets worrisome. Thursday The U.S. trade deficit nearly doubled in November, widening by 94.6% to $56.8 billion. Exports declined as imports rose as global trade continued to be volatile amid fluctuating U.S. tariffs. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, exports fell by 3.6% from October, led by sales of non-monetary gold and pharmaceutical products. Imports gained 5%, led by increased U.S. purchases of overseas pharmaceuticals and computers. Through the first 11 months of 2025, the deficit — which detracts from gross domestic product — widened 4%; exports gained 6.3%, and imports rose 5.8%. The four-week moving average for initial unemployment claims rose for the first time in four weeks but continued to show overall tight hiring conditions. The average was 43% below the all-time average dating back to 1967. The Labor Department said just under 2.3 million Americans claimed jobless benefits in the latest week, down 3% from the week before and a smidge below the same time in 2024. Worker productivity increased at a 4.9% annual rate in the third quarter, unchanged from a previous estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported worker output rose at a 5.4% pace while hours worked rose 0.5%. Hourly compensation advanced at a 2.9% pace in the quarter, resulting in a decline of 1.9% in labor costs. Year to year, productivity rose 1.9%, just below the 2% annual average in the business cycle that started at the end of 2019. In the previous cycle, beginning at the end of 2007, productivity averaged 1.5%, vs. a 2.1% average gain since 1947. A rise in demand for commercial aircraft boosted factory orders in November. The Commerce Department reported that total orders rose 2.7% from October, the third increase in four months. Demand for manufactured goods was up 3.4% from the year before. Excluding volatile orders for transportation equipment, orders rose 0.2% for the month and were up 0.7% from November 2024. Core capital goods orders, a proxy for business investments, rose 0.4% from October and were up 3.1% from November 2024. Friday The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that wholesale inflation rose 0.5% in December, as prices on goods were unchanged while services increased. The Producer Price Index advanced 3% from the year before, down from 3.5% in 2024 but up from as low as 2.4% in June. The Federal Reserve target for long-term inflation is 2%. Excluding volatile prices for food, energy and trade services, the so-called core PPI rose 0.4% from November and was up 3.5% from December 2024. Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 23462, down 39 points or 0.2% Standard & Poor’s 500 – 6939, up 23 points or 0.3% Dow Jones Industrial – 48892, down 206 points or 0.4% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.24%, no change

    24 min

  8. JAN 23

    Money Talk Podcast, Friday Jan. 23, 2026

    Advisors on This Week’s Show Kyle Tetting Dave Sandstrom Mike Hoelzl (with Max Hoelzl, Joel Dresang, engineered by Jason Scuglik) Week in Review (Jan. 19-23, 2026) Significant Economic Indicators & Reports Monday Markets and government offices closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tuesday No major releases Wednesday U.S. construction spending rose in October for the fourth time in five months. Data from the Commerce Department, delayed by the government shutdown in the fall, showed the seasonally adjusted annual rate of building expenditures up 0.5% from September. It was 1% below its year-ago pace. Spending on residential construction — accounting for 57% of the total — slipped 1.2% from the October 2024 pace. Manufacturing accounted for 10% of all construction spending and was down 11% from a record high last May. An early indicator of home sales declined in December. The National Association of Realtors’ index of pending home sales dropped 9.3% from November and was down 3% from December 2024. The trade group said several seasonal factors could have affected the reading but that low inventories probably dampened demand. At 71.8, the index of pending sales was nearly 30% below what the association considers normal. Total sales for 2025 tied with the year before for the lowest since 1995. Thursday The U.S. economy grew at an annual pace of 4.4% in the third quarter, up from 3.8% in the previous three months and the highest rate in two years. The Bureau of Economic Analysis said the acceleration in gross domestic product was led by consumer spending, exports, government spending and investments. A decline in imports also contributed to the third-quarter gain. The 4.4% pace was revised from 4.3% in an earlier estimate. Since the third quarter of 2024 and adjusting for inflation, GDP rose 2.3%. The four-week moving average for initial unemployment claims fell for the third week in a row and the fourth time in five weeks to reach the lowest level in two years. The average was 44% below the all-time average dating back to 1967. The Labor Department said 2.3 million Americans claimed jobless benefits in the latest week, up more than 5% from the week before and 1.5% higher than the same time in 2025. The Bureau of Economic Analysis said consumer spending rose 0.5% in November, outpacing a 0.3% increase in personal income. As a result, the personal saving rate dipped to 3.5% of disposable income, the lowest in more than three years. The personal consumption expenditures index, the Federal Reserve Board’s favorite measure of inflation, rose 2.8% from November 2024, up from 2.7% in October. The inflation rate remained above the Fed’s 2% long-term target but was below a four-decade high exceeding 7% in June 2022. Friday The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index improved from December with a small, broadly based increase. The index rose 6.6% from the month before and remained 21% below where it stood in January 2025, as consumers continued to complain about high prices and expressed concerns about weakening job conditions. Expectations for inflation ran at 4% in the next year and 3.3% longer term. Consumers’ outlook for inflation stayed high historically but was down from mid-2025 peaks, which were blown up by worries over global trade wars. The U.S. economy should slow in 2026, the Conference Board said, based on its November report of leading economic indicators. The business research group said its index declined 0.3% in November after dropping 0.1% in October, led by weak consumer expectations and falling demand for manufactured goods. Among the positive indicators were fewer unemployment insurance claims and more factory hours worked. For the latest six months, the index fell 1.2%, compared to a decline of 2.6% in the previous six months. Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 23501, down 14 points or 0.1% Standard & Poor’s 500 – 6916, down 24 points or 0.4% Dow Jones Industrial – 49099, down 261 points or 0.5% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.24%, up 0.01 point

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Independent investment advisor Bob Landaas makes sense of the latest financial developments and how they matter to individual investors. After nearly 20 years with his own popular radio show and almost a decade on public television across the country, Bob shares his plain-spoken insight via podcasts updated each Friday.

Information

  • Creator
    Money Talk Podcast
  • Years Active
    2010 - 2026
  • Episodes
    207
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Money Talk Podcast

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