North Star Financial Advisors - EB Capital Management

09/01/2026

The Treasury Department is increasing the size of its government debt buybacks amid ongoing pressures in the longer-term bond market.

The department said it will at least double the maximum size of certain buyback operations, from $2 billion to at least $4 billion, targeting the 10- to 20-year and 20- to 30-year portions of the Treasury market.

Following the announcement, the 10-year Treasury yield fell 6 basis points to 4.647%, while the 30-year bond yield fell 9 basis points to 5.196%. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.

The move is designed to support liquidity in longer-dated Treasury securities, though economists noted that it does not change the broader fiscal backdrop or the government’s ongoing financing needs.


Source:

The announcement targets the sensitive longer-duration part of the Treasury market.

08/15/2026

Inflation doesn’t just raise prices - inflation challenges how your entire financial plan works.

One of the easiest ways to adapt? Shift your budget from fixed numbers to flexible ranges. It keeps you realistic without losing control.

Small structural changes like this can help you stay consistent, even when costs aren’t.

08/03/2026

Mortgage rates recently climbed to their highest level since August 2025, creating another challenge for homebuyers.

The average contract interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a conforming loan balance rose to 6.65%, up from 6.58% the previous week.

Higher rates can affect affordability, as even a small increase can change a buyer’s monthly payment.

That pressure showed up in mortgage demand. Applications to purchase a home fell 7% from the previous week and were 2% lower than the same week one year ago.

Buyers are also still facing high home prices and a limited supply of affordable homes for sale.

Refinance applications rose this week, though refinancing remains less attractive for many borrowers because rates are not much lower than they were a year ago.

For households, mortgage rates are a reminder that borrowing costs can play a major role in affordability, timing, and monthly cash flow.


Source:

Mortgage rates moved higher last week, causing buyers to pull back, but refinancing did see small gains.

07/15/2026

Read the latest issue of Retire Wise here:

Families often struggle to find meaningful ways to pass down their values. While wealth, heirlooms, or traditions can be transferred with relative ease,…

07/01/2026

The Fed’s benchmark rate stayed in the 3.50% to 3.75% range, with all 12 members of the Federal Open Market Committee voting in favor of holding rates unchanged.

The decision comes as inflation has climbed above 4% for the first time in three years, driven in part by higher energy costs and supply disruptions.

Fed officials described inflation as elevated and noted that price increases in certain sectors, including energy, have been affected by supply shocks.

For households and businesses, the decision matters because interest rates can influence borrowing costs, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, business financing, and savings yields.

Even when rates do not move, the Fed’s language can offer clues about how officials are weighing inflation, employment, energy prices, and future economic conditions.



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Futures markets overwhelmingly expected the Fed to keep rates unchanged.

06/20/2026

If you’re worried, you’re not “doing it right” when it comes to teaching kids about money, you’re not alone.

The good news is you don’t need to be an expert. Practiced consistently, small, intentional moments, modeled behavior, and hands-on experiences can make a meaningful difference in kids’ understanding and attitudes toward money.

06/01/2026

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its latest meeting, maintaining the benchmark range at 3.5% to 3.75%.

While the decision itself was widely expected, the vote reflected a notable level of disagreement among policymakers, with several members expressing differing views on the outlook for future rate adjustments.

Some officials pointed to ongoing inflation concerns, while others focused on how policy signals could shape expectations moving forward.

Recent economic data continues to show a mixed picture, with steady job growth alongside inflation that remains above long-term targets.

Moments like this highlight how central bank decisions often involve balancing multiple factors as conditions evolve over time.


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The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released its latest decision on interest rates.

05/20/2026

Recent global developments are beginning to show up in key areas of the U.S. economy, with energy costs leading the impact.

Fuel prices have risen, with the national average reaching around $4.10 per gallon, increasing costs for households and businesses. Broader inflation data has also reflected some upward pressure, particularly in energy-related categories.

Despite these shifts, overall economic growth is still expected to continue, though at a slower pace. Some forecasts suggest growth may ease slightly while remaining positive.

Consumer activity has shown mixed signals. Spending has remained relatively steady, even as sentiment surveys reflect lower confidence.

Looking ahead, factors like energy prices, inflation trends, and central bank decisions may continue to influence the economic outlook.


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The Iran war is starting to show up in the U.S. economy in ways both obvious and not so much.

05/04/2026

Concerns about a potential economic slowdown are gaining attention as several indicators begin to show signs of strain.

Economists have recently increased their estimates for the likelihood of a downturn over the next 12 months. Some projections now place the probability significantly higher than the typical baseline, reflecting growing uncertainty.

Several factors are contributing to these concerns, including rising energy costs, pressure on consumers, and a labor market that has shown limited job growth in most sectors. In fact, job creation remained relatively weak over the past year, with some recent monthly declines.

Consumer sentiment has also softened, with a majority of respondents in one survey expecting a downturn within the next year.

While these trends don’t guarantee a contraction, they highlight how shifts in employment, spending, and global conditions can influence the broader economic outlook.


Source:

Economists have pulled up their risk assessments of a contraction amid heightened uncertainty over geopolitical risk and a labor market slump.

04/10/2026

Just over 50 percent of homeowners still have mortgages with rates under 4 percent. But that number has been trending lower, especially in the past year. Are you thinking about making a change?