Sharkey, Howes & Javer

This week on Inside the Economy, we address the Consumer Price Index mainly looking at primary shelter, core goods, and U.S. retail sales. In the latest core consumer price index report, both primary shelter costs and core good prices continue to decline. Meanwhile, the potential impact of new tariffs is continuing to spark debate. How might they shape the inflation outlook moving forward? Real house prices are finally easing after years of steady increases. Could the 30-year fixed mortgage follow suit? On the earnings front, second quarter earnings are projected to grow just 2.8%, marking the lowest expected increase in the past two years. At the same time, expected volatility in the S&P 500 has dropped to its lowest level since February. Curious about how much interest the U.S. government is paying on its debt? Tune in to learn more! Key Takeaways: • U.S. Federal Government interest payments surpass $1 trillion • Japan’s GDP per capita has declined over the last decade • Chinese exports at record high