CORNYVERSE

Just as the market was settling in for the pre-FOMC quiet period, the latest retail sales data has thrown a curveball. The numbers for August 2025 are in, and they paint a picture of a surprisingly resilient American consumer. This robust spending report lands at a critical moment, complicating the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision. The key question now on every investor's mind is: Will this consumer strength force the Fed to maintain its hawkish stance?   Key Takeaways ☑ Stronger-Than-Expected Growth: August's headline retail sales rose by 0.6%, significantly beating the consensus forecast of 0.2%. ☑ Core Strength Visible: Core retail sales (excluding autos) were even more robust, climbing 0.7%, suggesting broad-based consumer demand. ☑ Complicates Fed's Path: This data challenges the narrative of a cooling economy, potentially giving the Fed reason to delay any anticipated rate cuts and maintain a "higher for longer" policy. Th...

FOMC rate decisions have an outsized impact on global financial markets. Many investors are laser-focused on the next announcement. In this post, using the latest FOMC outcome, we’ll explain—in four key angles—how hikes or cuts affect our portfolios and what the rate outlook might be.   🎯 Key Takeaways ✅ What this post covers (3-line preview) ✅ How FOMC rate moves affect equities, bonds, and the dollar ✅ Why rates were held recently—and what’s next With the latest FOMC decision to hold the policy rate, uncertainty has increased. Investors hoping for cuts were disappointed. Higher rates raise corporate financing costs and can pressure stocks; lower rates can revive sentiment. Because the decision also moves bonds and the dollar, it’s crucial to anticipate the path ahead. 🔍 Why the Market’s Watching & Why the Hold At the July 2025 FOMC meeting, the target range was kept a...