The U.S. Economy Added 29,000 Jobs in September, Far Fewer Than Expected. Here's Why That's Good News for the Stock Market Right Now.

The U.S. added only 29,000 jobs in September, well below the expected 84,000, with unemployment rising to 4.2%. Despite weak labor data, stock markets rallied as bond yields declined following the report. The softer jobs data suggests the Fed may hold interest rates steady, providing relief to equity valuations that have been pressured by elevated bond yields throughout 2024.

10/02/2026, 10:26 AM • The Motley Fool

The Fed's Preferred Inflation Gauge Declined More Than Expected in August, Yet Bond Yields Aren't Budging. Here's One Reason Why.

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge (PCE) came in softer than expected in August, with core PCE rising 0.2% monthly and 3% annually versus economist expectations of 0.3% and 3.3%. However, bond yields remained elevated around 5.30-5.65%, defying typical market reactions. The muted response is attributed to recent changes in how the Bureau of Economic Analysis calculates PCE, which reduced reported inflation by 0.2-0.3%, and rising fuel prices in September that make August data less relevant. Despite this, the probability of a Fed rate hold in October increased to 60.7%.

09/30/2026, 1:26 PM • The Motley Fool

The Odds of an Oct. 28 Fed Rate Hike Are Soaring, and President Donald Trump Is, in Part, to Blame

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has initiated the fourth rate-hiking cycle of the 21st century, with odds of an October 28 rate hike jumping from 6.6% to 57.6% as of mid-September. President Trump's tariff policies and military action against Iran are driving elevated inflation, while AI infrastructure buildout and surging long-duration Treasury yields are also pressuring the Fed to continue raising rates.

09/23/2026, 4:06 AM • The Motley Fool

2 Words From Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Just Changed the Game for Wall Street

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00% and emphasized a 'timelier return' to the 2% inflation target, signaling additional rate hikes ahead. This hawkish stance threatens the AI infrastructure build-out that has been the stock market's primary catalyst, potentially impacting growth stocks and premium valuations across major indexes.

09/22/2026, 4:06 AM • The Motley Fool

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Defied President Donald Trump, and 17 Words From His Post-FOMC Meeting Press Conference Suggest He May Do So Again

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh led the FOMC to unanimously raise interest rates by 0.25% to 3.75%-4% in September 2026, defying President Trump's desire for rate cuts. Warsh's statement emphasizing the need for 'sufficient speed' in bringing inflation to the 2% target suggests he may raise rates again later this year, potentially conflicting with Trump's preferences once more.

09/19/2026, 8:30 PM • The Motley Fool

CME vs. Morningstar: Which Financial Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

CME Group and Morningstar are compared as financial infrastructure plays. CME dominates derivatives trading with an impressive 62% net margin and $6.5B revenue, but trades at a premium valuation (forward P/E 22.5). Morningstar offers investment research with lower margins (15.3%) but more attractive valuation (forward P/E 15.5). The author leans toward CME despite valuation concerns due to its superior profitability and dividend, though both stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 over longer periods.

09/16/2026, 8:30 AM • The Motley Fool

News Flash: 70% of Wall Street Institutions Are Calling for at Least a 50-Basis-Point Fed Rate Hike in 2026

The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a significant rate hike on September 16, 2026, with 70% of Wall Street institutions calling for at least a 50-basis-point increase. The shift in expectations follows a stronger-than-expected August inflation report. Rising inflation driven by tariffs, the Iran war, and strong AI infrastructure demand has forced the Fed's hand despite potential opposition from President Trump.

09/16/2026, 4:06 AM • The Motley Fool

Wall Street Expects Bad News From the Federal Reserve This Week. History Says a Stock Market Correction May Follow.

Wall Street expects the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by a quarter-point this week, with an 87% probability according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. Historically, the first rate hike in new tightening cycles has preceded double-digit stock market corrections within three months. However, strong corporate earnings growth and AI-driven technology sector performance may provide a cushion against potential declines.

09/15/2026, 5:12 AM • The Motley Fool

A Fed Rate Hike May Be in the Cards on Sept. 16, and 36 Years of History Says the Stock Market Won't Be Happy (at Least Initially)

New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has prioritized price stability as inflation reaches a three-year high of 4.2%. There's a 50-50 chance the FOMC will raise rates on Sept. 15-16. Historical data shows stocks initially decline after Fed rate hikes, but recover strongly within a year—averaging 12.5% gains one year after quarter-point hikes.

09/06/2026, 11:06 AM • The Motley Fool

The Stock Market Has Done This Only 2 Times Since 1871 — and Both Times Ended Badly. Could Trump’s Policies Raise the Risk of Another Market Meltdown?

The S&P 500 Shiller CAPE ratio has reached 41, its highest level since the dot-com bubble peak, occurring only twice before in 155 years—both times preceding major market downturns. Trump's tariff policies, military actions driving oil prices higher, and Treasury bond strategies are raising inflation concerns and increasing the odds of Fed rate hikes. However, strong corporate earnings growth and different market dynamics may mitigate historical patterns of decline.

09/06/2026, 3:12 AM • The Motley Fool

QuoMarkets Introduces Weekend XAUUSD Trading as Demand for Continuous Market Access Grows

QuoMarkets has launched GOLD247, a new weekend trading instrument that allows eligible clients to trade gold (XAUUSD) on Saturdays and Sundays via MetaTrader 5. The product addresses growing demand for extended market access as gold continues to play a central role in global financial markets amid inflation concerns, geopolitical uncertainty, and strong central bank buying. GOLD247 operates independently from QuoMarkets' standard weekday XAUUSD offerings.

09/05/2026, 3:27 AM • GlobeNewswire

The U.S. Economy Just Added 162,000 Jobs in August, Blowing Past Estimates: That's Both Good and Bad News for the Stock Market.

The U.S. added 162,000 jobs in August, more than triple economist estimates of 53,000, with broad-based gains across restaurants, government, education, and manufacturing. However, the strong jobs report increased the probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike in September from 50% to 62.4%, which spooked investors concerned about higher borrowing costs and recession risks. While the healthy labor market is structurally positive long-term, near-term market sentiment remains negative due to rate hike concerns.

09/04/2026, 11:32 AM • The Motley Fool

Fed Governor Chris Waller Just Significantly Upped the Stakes for the Sept. 11 Inflation Report. It Could Decide Whether There is a Rate Hike at the Fed's Upcoming Meeting

Fed Governor Chris Waller stated that the August inflation report (releasing Sept. 11) will likely determine his vote on whether to raise interest rates at the upcoming FOMC meeting. If inflation shows continued progress toward the 2% target, he would support holding rates steady; if inflation comes in hot, he would consider a rate hike. With three FOMC members already dissenting in favor of a hike, Waller's potential support could shift the committee's decision, making the inflation data a critical tiebreaker.

09/03/2026, 12:41 PM • The Motley Fool

The Odds of a September Rate Hike Have Nearly Doubled, Courtesy of Fed Chair Kevin Warsh -- Here's What He Just Said

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech on August 28 significantly increased market expectations for a September interest rate hike, with odds jumping from 35% to 60%. Warsh emphasized that inflation, running above the Fed's 2% target for 65 months, is the central bank's predominant focus and stated the Fed must be confident inflation is moving toward its objective 'at sufficient speed.' This hawkish stance has spooked Wall Street, as rate hikes could slow the AI-driven market rally by increasing borrowing costs.

09/01/2026, 4:06 AM • The Motley Fool

"We Have Work to Do": Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Expresses Concern Over Inflation in Closely Watched Jackson Hole Speech

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivered a hawkish Jackson Hole speech, expressing concerns that underlying inflation has not meaningfully improved despite recent softer inflation reports. Warsh stated the Fed must be confident inflation is moving toward its 2% target at sufficient speed, otherwise "we have work to do." His comments immediately increased market expectations for a September rate hike from 35.5% to 57.5%, signaling potential monetary tightening ahead.

08/28/2026, 12:35 PM • The Motley Fool