Christian E. Weller

1 day ago | forbes.com | Christian E. Weller

The labor market remains resilient, while trouble spots emerge. gettyThe labor market added 139,000 jobs and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.2% in May 2025, according to the latest release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those top line numbers indicate a resilient labor market. Hiring seems to continue apace, even though widespread economic policy uncertainty has clouded planning for many businesses.

3 days ago | forbes.com | Christian E. Weller

People's financial security improved in 2024 amid a strong economy. gettyPeople are increasingly worried about their financial future, amid policy chaos and a slowing labor market. Things could get worse if tariffs turn into higher inflation, as expected, keep interest rates high and contribute to a further slowdown in the economy. Eroding economic fortunes in 2025 would be a remarkable turnaround from the trend towards improving financial security in 2024.

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Christian E. Weller

Interest rates matter for all of those who want to borrow to invest or pay bills or refinance their existing debt. Yet, long-term interest rates have stayed high, even as economic activity has slowed. Higher interest rates make it more expensive for households to buy a house, invest in their children’s education and buy other large ticket items, such as cars. Mortgage rates, for instance, have recently climbed again to 6.86% by May 22, 2025 up from a recent low of 6.63% in early March of this year.

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Christian E. Weller

Economic policy chaos reigns high. This massive jump in uncertainty over tariffs, federal layoffs, the cuts to already appropriated federal funds, potentially soaring deficits and the future path of interest rates, among others, is already taking a toll on the economy. Consumers and businesses are changing their spending habits, contributing to a noticeable slowdown in the economy. It all starts with economic policy uncertainty, created by President Donald Trump and his administration.

2 months ago | forbes.com | Christian E. Weller

A massive jump in economic policy uncertainty, highlighted by President Donald Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs and other policy back and forth, has characterized the first few months of his second term. Above average increases in economic policy uncertainty tend to precede slower increases in economic activity. And, the more than 140.2% of economic policy uncertainty from October 2024 to February 2025 certainly counts as an above average increase.