The U.S. economy,
explained plainly

Trump declines the USMCA 16-year extension. The deal stays in force but enters annual review mode until 2036 — meaning years of uncertainty, not sudden collapse. What it means for supply chains, tariffs, and planning.

The Federal Funds Rate at 3.6% is reshaping how small businesses think about growth, debt, and cash management. Here's a practical breakdown of what it means and what to do about…

With the prime rate at 6.75% and rate hikes back on the table, here's how small business owners should adjust their financing and cash strategy.

Fed rate at 3.63%, prime at 6.75%. The gap between big-bank checking (0.07% APY) and the best online accounts (4.00% APY) is the widest in 15 years. Here's where to move your cash right now.

USMCA-compliant goods dodge the 25–35% tariffs on Canada and Mexico — but steel, aluminum, and Chinese-origin components are still taxed. With the July 1 review deadline days away, here's what every small business importer needs to know.

Today's flash PMI confirmed manufacturing is booming near 4-year highs while services barely grow and prices surge at the fastest pace since 2022. Here's what the split economy means for your business and what to watch Thursday when PCE drops.

Oil hit $126 in March 2026 after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz — the largest supply disruption in oil market history. Here's a complete breakdown of what happened, where WTI and Brent stand now, and what EIA, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan forecast for H2 2026.

Nine of 18 Fed officials now project a rate increase before year-end — a dramatic reversal from March, when cuts were expected. With prime at 6.75% and inflation running at 4.2%, here's what to do before the July 28 meeting.

Gas is $4.05/gallon and diesel has topped $5. The Strait of Hormuz closure triggered the largest oil supply disruption in history. Here's what small business owners need to know — and what to do about it.

With the Federal Funds Rate at 3.6% and business loan rates running 6.1–8.1%, the question of whether to borrow right now is one of the most important financial decisions a small business owner can make.

With the Federal Funds Rate at 3.6% and business loan rates running 6.1–8.1% , the question of whether to borrow right now is one of the most important financial decisions a small…

The NFIB's May 2026 report shows only 16% of small businesses plan capital outlays in the next six months — the lowest since March 2009. With inflation at 4.17% and the Fed signaling a possible rate hike, here's what it means and what to do.

Initial claims dipped to 226,000, but continuing claims rose to 1.81 million — the highest in nearly three months. Workers are staying unemployed longer, and with the Fed signaling a rate hike ahead, small business owners face a changing environment on two fronts.

The Federal Reserve held rates steady for the fourth straight meeting today as new Chair Kevin Warsh faced his first press conference amid 4.2% inflation — the highest in three years. Here's what it means for your business borrowing costs.

The Federal Reserve held rates steady for the fourth straight meeting today as new Chair Kevin Warsh faced his first press conference amid 4.2% inflation — the highest in three years. Here's what it means for your business borrowing costs.

The Fed meets June 16–17 with inflation at 4.2% — a three-year high. No rate cut is expected, but the bigger story is whether the Fed shifts its bias toward tightening, signaling that borrowing costs will stay high — or go higher — for the rest of 2026.

Inflation at 4.3% year-over-year is one of the most direct economic forces hitting small business owners in 2026. This guide breaks down exactly what it means for your costs,…

With rates elevated, knowing whether to take a term loan or a line of credit can make a real difference. Here's how to choose based on where rates actually are right now.

SBA 7(a) rates run 9.0%–11.5% in June 2026 based on a prime rate of 6.75%. See exact rates by loan size, how SBA 504 loans offer a fixed-rate alternative at 5.5–6.5%, and whether to borrow now or wait.

Average credit card APR hit 21% in 2026. Here's how to choose the right business card, when rewards make sense vs. not, and the one rule that protects your margins at any rate environment.

Commercial mortgages run 7.5%–10% at most banks in 2026. But SBA 504 loans lock in a fixed rate around 5.5–6.5% with just 10% down. Here's how to compare your options and what to expect in underwriting.

The FOMC meets June 16–17 under new Chair Kevin Warsh. With inflation at 4.2% and a rate hike now on the table, the dot plot and press conference will shape borrowing costs for the rest of 2026. Here's what to watch and what to do.

The prime rate is 6.75% and inflation is running at 4.2%. Here's how elevated rates hit your borrowing costs, your customers, and your cash strategy — and the four moves that make the most difference right now.

With CPI running at 4.2%, inflation is squeezing margins from both sides — higher input costs and customers pulling back. Here's what the data says and what to do about it.

May's CPI came in at 4.2% annually — the highest since April 2023 — driven by a 40.5% surge in gasoline prices tied to Middle East oil disruptions. With the Fed meeting next week under new Chair Kevin Warsh, here's what it means for your costs and borrowing.

The 2025–2026 tariff regime is the biggest shift in U.S. trade policy in decades. Broad tariffs on Chinese imports (54–145%), steel at 25%, and ongoing USMCA tensions are hitting retailers, construction firms, and manufacturers hardest. Here's what to do.

The prime rate is 8.50% and the Fed isn't cutting until inflation falls further. Here are five practical moves — from converting variable debt to fixed, to opening a business HYSA at 4.92%, to renegotiating vendor terms — to protect your margins now.

The FOMC voted 11–1 to hold rates steady. The hiking cycle is over — but the dot plot shows just one cut expected in 2026, likely in September. Here's the plain-English breakdown of what this means for business loans, cash strategy, and the year ahead.

Three recession warning signals are flashing: inverted yield curve, ISM PMI at 48.7 (contraction), and GDP growth slowing to 2.1%. But unemployment is 3.9% and consumers are still spending. Here's what the data actually says about recession risk.

With the 10-year Treasury yield at 4.32% and the Fed holding rates steady, mortgage rates are sitting around 6.8–7.1% on a 30-year fixed. We break down exactly what that means if you're thinking about buying, refinancing, or waiting.

When the Fed rate is 5.25%, where you keep your business cash matters more than ever. We compared the top business checking and high-yield savings accounts on fees, yield, and features small businesses actually use.

The Federal Reserve has held rates at 5.25% for months. If you're thinking about a small business loan, line of credit, or SBA financing, here's exactly how the Fed rate affects what you'll pay — and what to do about it.

The monthly jobs report moves markets and shapes Fed policy — but most small business owners never read it. Here's a plain-English guide to the numbers that actually matter and what they mean for hiring, wages, and your bottom line.

CPI — the Consumer Price Index — is the most widely-cited inflation measure in the United States. When it's high, the Fed raises rates. When it falls, rates follow. Here's how it works and how to use it to make smarter business decisions.

The 10-year Treasury yield just hit 4.32%, its highest level in months. If you've ever wondered why people talk about bond yields constantly and what it has to do with your mortgage, credit card rate, or business loan, this is for you.