Inflation & Prices

Energy

Heating Prices Surge as Utility Bills Grow Faster Than Paychecks

Photo via Alexey Stiop/Newscom

NEADA found the average monthly electric bill has surged 29% since 2021, and natural gas has jumped 50% over the past year.

1 min read

Photo by Eric1513 via iStock

Personal Finance

Bigger Social Security Checks Top 2026 Changes in Retirement Benefits

Here’s what changes to Social Security payouts, tax deductions and Medicare premiums mean for retirees’ cash flow in 2026.

2 min read
Photo via BONNIE CASH/UPI/Newscom

Indicators

Will Fed’s Latest Rate Cut Be Powell’s Last?

The latest reading of policymakers’ preferred inflation gauge is still coming in well above officials’ 2% target at 2.8%.

2 min read
Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Inflation & Prices

Holiday Spending Hits New Highs, Sort Of

Holiday spending after Thanksgiving hit a record high, although notably only if you crunch the numbers a certain way.

2 min read

Economics

A December Rate Cut? Economists Still Expect One. Markets, Not so Much

Photo via Kyodonews/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Just weeks ago viewed as all but certain, markets now figure the odds of an interest rate cut in December is no different than a coin flip.

2 min read

Photo via BONNIE CASH/UPI/Newscom

Economics

Can the Fed Get Missing Economic Data in Time for Rate-Cut Decision?

While a stop-gap funding deal is in place, the government still has some work to do to fill in its backlog of missing economic data.

2 min read
Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photos by Sabelskaya and Gyzele via iStock

Economics

US Tariffs Chew a Hole in Retailers’ (and Shoppers’) Christmas Stockings

The US has basically imposed tariffs on Christmas this year: Trees, ornaments and even gifts. Now, both shoppers and sellers feel Grinchy.

6 min read
Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photos by AltoClassic via iStock and Freepik

Economics

Thawing Housing Market Not Yet Liquid Enough to Jump-Start Sales

Rejuvenating frozen US housing sales will require a strong job market and mortgage rates low enough to pique sellers’ interest in new homes.

4 min read

Economics

Banking on a Fed Rate Cut Today, Investors Look for Hints of What’s Next

Photo via Annabelle Gordon/Sipa USA/Newscom

In September, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that nine of the Fed’s 19 policymakers favored no more than one additional rate cut this year.

1 min read

Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Unsplash

CIO Upside

Will AI Be Setting Your Salary Soon? Some Workers Hope So

AI might factor into your paycheck more and more over the next few years. Some workers expect that to make pay scales fairer.

1 min read
Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photo by Anna Zasimova via iStock

Markets

Gold’s Shining Moment: From Portfolio Fuddy-Duddy to Must-Have

The gold standard hasn’t made a comeback, but the precious metal’s price is breaking records as confidence in the US dollar fades.

5 min read
Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Inflation & Prices

Fed’s Beige Book Buoys Rate-Cut Hopes Amid Economic Data Blackout

The report cautions tariffs are driving inflation higher and says companies are grappling with whether to pass the costs to consumers.

2 min read

Economics

Economists Bullish on US Growth Despite Rising Inflation, Shrinking Job Market

Photo by Getty Images via Unsplash

It’s not all sunshine and roses, however, with economists still flagging rising inflation and a weakening labor market going forward.

2 min read

Sign Up for The Daily Upside to Unlock This Article

Sharp news & analysis on finance, economics, and investing.