Keyword → WFC

Weekly Jobless Claims Rise to 219,000, Signaling Early Labor Market Softening

The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday that seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims rose by 16,000 in the week ending April 4, reaching 219,000 — above analyst expectations — while the four-week moving average ticked higher, offering early evidence that the energy-driven economic disruption may be beginning to filter into the labor market.

Wells Fargo Abandons All 2026 Fed Rate Cut Forecasts as Iran War Locks In Inflation; March CPI Due Friday

Wells Fargo Investment Institute announced Monday it no longer expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates at any point in 2026, abandoning its prior forecast of two cuts and citing oil-driven inflation from the Iran war and elevated geopolitical uncertainty. The announcement sets up Friday's March CPI report as a high-stakes macro event, with the Cleveland Fed's Inflation Nowcasting model projecting headline inflation surging from 2.4% to 3.16% year-over-year as the first full energy shock data is captured.

March Jobs Report Crushes Forecasts — 178,000 Payrolls Added, Unemployment Falls to 4.3%

Friday's March employment report delivered a decisive upside shock, with the U.S. economy adding 178,000 jobs against a consensus estimate of just 51,000, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.3% — a powerful labor market signal that directly challenges the recession narrative heading into Q1 2026 earnings season kicking off this week.

Q1 2026 Earnings Season Kicks Off — JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs Set to Report as Banks Navigate Tariff and Rate Uncertainty

Q1 2026 earnings season officially begins this week with major banks leading the charge, and Friday's blockbuster March jobs report — 178,000 payrolls added against a 51,000 consensus — has substantially improved the setup for financial sector results, even as the broader market navigates 15% global tariffs, $110 oil, and Moody's 49% recession probability estimate.

February PCE Inflation Eases to 2.3% — Core Holds at 2.6%, Fed Stays Patient

The Bureau of Economic Analysis released February's Personal Consumption Expenditures price index Friday, showing headline PCE inflation eased to 2.3% year-over-year from 2.5% in January while core PCE held steady at 2.6%. Both readings landed in line with consensus, reinforcing a Federal Reserve on hold through mid-year as incoming auto tariff risks threaten to stall the final mile of disinflation.

U.S. GDP Growth Confirmed at 2.4% for Q4 2025, Beating Initial Estimate

The Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday confirmed U.S. GDP expanded at an annualized rate of 2.4% in Q4 2025, topping the advance estimate of 2.3% and reinforcing economic resilience heading into 2026. Upward revisions to consumer spending and nonresidential fixed investment drove the beat, tempering stagflation concerns.

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to 205,000, Signaling Continued Labor Market Strength

Initial unemployment claims dropped to 205,000 for the week ending March 21, the lowest reading since November 2025 and well below economists' forecasts of 218,000. The data reinforces a robust labor market that has supported consumer spending and corporate earnings even as the Federal Reserve maintains elevated interest rates.

Major Banks Announce Expanded Share Buyback Programs Ahead of Q1 2026 Earnings

JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America each disclosed expanded share repurchase authorizations ahead of Q1 2026 earnings season, signaling confidence in capital positions and near-term earnings power. The announcements come as robust trading revenues and resilient net interest income support a broadly bullish bank sector outlook.

Powell Shocks Markets With Hawkish Peterson Institute Speech — Rate Hike Odds Surge to 68%

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a sharply hawkish address at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, signaling the Fed retains all tools to combat inflation. Rate hike odds for October surged to 68 percent as the S&P 500 fell 1.4 percent and 2-year Treasury yields jumped 18 basis points to 4.92 percent.