Financial Straight Talk

01/20/2023

01/15/2023

While the Fed has agreed to slow interest rate hikes, they're asking for flexibility regarding future hikes as they keep watch over the economy. Reuters has the story @ https://bit.ly/3jSHxrM

All officials at the Federal Reserve's Dec. 13-14 policy meeting agreed the U.S. central bank should slow the pace of its aggressive interest rate increases, allowing them to continue increasing the cost of credit to control inflation but in a gradual way meant to limit the risks to economic growth.

01/13/2023

The United States has re-opened its embassy in Havana, as many Cubans look to immigrate to the U.S. AP News has the details @ https://bit.ly/3GJxnmi

HAVANA (AP) — Grappling with the biggest flood of Cuban migrants in decades, the United States reopened their long-closed legal pathway on Wednesday by resuming all visa services at its embassy in Havana.

01/06/2023

The SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law as part of the $1.7 billion spending bill. How will this affect your retirement savings? NPR has the details @ https://bit.ly/3ClrCZl #2.0

From emergency savings accounts to assistance for student loan borrowers, the new federal spending bill aims to make it easier to save for retirement.

12/28/2022

The U.S. trade deficit grew in October, as a strong dollar and declining exports hit a 7-month low. Reuters has the details @ https://bit.ly/3BjOqrQ

The U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in October as slowing global demand and a strong dollar pushed goods exports to a seven-month low, suggesting that trade could be a drag on economic growth this quarter if the trend persists.

12/25/2022

The last Boeing 747 has exited the factory, ending the plane's 50-year production run. CNBC has the story @ https://bit.ly/3Fx8LLZ #747

Boeing has produced 1,574 of the planes at its factory north of Seattle.

12/18/2022

Rates for 30-year mortgages have fallen to 6.49% from 6.67%, but demand is 41% less than last year. CNBC has the story @ https://bit.ly/3XRd3G0

Mortgage rates continue to ease, but demand is not following, as there are few who can benefit from a refinance, and homebuyers are still facing high prices.