Parliament Wealth Management and Insurance Services

10/28/2026

Another interest-rate hike may be coming this year. The question is when.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting show that most officials believe another increase in the federal funds rate will likely be appropriate before the end of 2026. But policymakers stopped short of signaling whether that could happen at their October 28 meeting or the final meeting of the year on December 9.

📌 Of the 18 Fed officials who submitted rate projections, 16 expected another increase this year.

Why the caution? Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, while officials described the labor market as close to maximum employment and noted that economic growth has picked up.

At the same time, Fed officials emphasized that future decisions will depend on incoming economic data rather than a predetermined timeline.

For now, another hike appears to be on the table, but the timing is still an open question.



Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/07/fed-officials-see-another-hike-coming-but-no-sign-as-to-when-minutes-show.html

10/27/2026

Most of the tax benefit for charitable giving disappeared years ago. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans now take the standard deduction, which means most donations no longer help manage a tax bill at all.

And yet people keep giving.

Maybe that says something. The deduction was never really why anyone gave. The cause was.

Talk to your tax, legal, and accounting professionals about how recent tax law changes could affect your giving strategy.

10/27/2026

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but the labor market is sending mixed signals. 💼

Initial jobless claims fell to 194,000, down from 200,000 the previous week and the lowest level since July, according to the Labor Department.

Claims have remained historically low throughout 2026, never exceeding 230,000 in a single week. That’s an encouraging sign for workers who already have jobs.

But hiring remains sluggish. Employers have added an average of 68,000 jobs per month this year, compared with 166,000 per month in 2023 and 2024.

This is often called a “low-hire, low-fire” labor market, where businesses are holding on to existing employees but aren’t adding many new positions.

With unemployment at 4.2% in September, the latest figures suggest a labor market where layoffs remain limited, but finding a new job may still be challenging. 🧭



Source: https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/us-jobless-claims-fell-194000-week-lowest-july-137473790

10/26/2026

Who you gonna call? This week, CIO Gene Goldman is joined by two very special guests as he suits up for Halloween with his baby twins in a Ghostbusters-inspired edition of .
Beyond the costumes, Gene breaks down the biggest event on investors’ radar: the upcoming Fed meeting. Will policymakers hold rates steady, signal a December hike, or surprise markets? Tune in as he explores inflation trends, Fed messaging, and the key signals investors should be watching this week.

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

10/23/2026

The AI trade isn't ending. It's expanding. Cetera's latest commentary examines what's driving the recent selloff, where they see opportunities emerging, and why staying invested still matters.

The AI trade isn't ending. It's expanding. Our latest commentary examines what's driving the recent selloff, where we see opportunities emerging, and why…

10/23/2026

Heating oil could make winter noticeably more expensive for millions of households this year. 🏠

The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects heating oil to average $5.26 per gallon this winter, up 34% from last year. Even with a warmer winter expected to reduce consumption, households that primarily use heating oil are projected to spend about 21% more, averaging $2,115 from November through March.

The impact is especially concentrated in the Northeast, where about 3.4 million households rely on heating oil. Meanwhile, households using natural gas or propane are expected to see lower average heating costs this winter.

Actual bills will still depend heavily on the weather and local fuel prices. For households looking to reduce energy use, steps like sealing air leaks, maintaining heating equipment, and lowering the thermostat while away or asleep may help trim consumption. 🌡️



Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/07/home-heating-oil-costs-winter.html

10/22/2026

A common online security tool is now being used in a new type of scam.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts — the familiar “I’m not a robot” checks — to trick users into taking actions that can compromise their devices.

Instead of a simple verification, these prompts may ask users to click “Allow,” enable notifications, or follow additional steps that can lead to persistent pop-ups, phishing attempts, or unwanted software.

These scams often appear through ads, suspicious links, or redirected web pages, making them harder to spot at first glance.

Security experts note that legitimate CAPTCHA tests do not require enabling notifications, downloading files, or entering system commands — making those requests a potential red flag.

As these tactics evolve, staying cautious when interacting with unexpected prompts can help reduce exposure to online threats.


Source: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/captcha-scams-are-surging-as-hackers-exploit-a-security-tool-032626.html

10/22/2026

Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care and encourage loved ones to do the same. Regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and open conversations about breast health can make a significant difference in prevention and early intervention. 🌺

10/21/2026

Social Security recipients will receive a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2027, translating to approximately $75 more per month on average.

The increase comes as inflation continues to affect everyday expenses. September's Consumer Price Index showed prices rising 3.7% over the past year.

But will the adjustment be enough? A September AARP survey found that roughly three-quarters of adults age 50 and older didn't believe a 3.5% COLA would keep pace with rising prices.

The actual increase will vary by recipient, and expenses such as health care, housing, and groceries may affect how far that additional income goes.



Source: https://apnews.com/article/social-security-cost-of-living-inflation-cpi-c7c73bbb304205696e7dd1afa27fc850

10/20/2026

🛍️ What if you and another shopper paid different prices for the exact same groceries?

AI could make that scenario more common.

Retailers are exploring personalized pricing, which may use data such as browsing habits, ZIP codes, and purchasing behavior to determine what individual shoppers are willing to pay.

In one Instacart pricing experiment, researchers found that identical grocery baskets cost some shoppers up to 23% more than others. Instacart disputed aspects of those findings and later ended the experiment.

As AI becomes more involved in retail, it raises an interesting question: Will the price you see depend on who's shopping? 🤖



Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/price-tag-artificial-intelligence/