Finance

Finance · 9 October 2026

French Debt Crisis: Bonds Demand a Robust Rate Hike, France Hears It

Helen Pell, Washington desk

When French bond investors start shouting for higher rates, the market sounds like a choir demanding the word ‘robust’—a cautionary note to other high‑debt nations.

Finance · 8 October 2026

Fed Official’s ‘Robust’ Outlook Leaves Markets Guessing on Rate Hike Timing

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A senior Federal Reserve official signaled that further interest‑rate hikes are unlikely this month, hinting any move would wait until the end of the year. Traders took the cautious tone as a cue, nudging markets highe…

Finance · 8 October 2026

College Majors and Earnings: What Federal Aid Data Reveals

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A graphics‑driven analysis by Arfa Momin of federal aid recipients shows how a graduate’s major and alma mater influence earnings four years after graduation, while noting the study’s limited time frame.

Finance · 7 October 2026

S&P 500 Hits Record High as Rising Rates and Higher Oil Prices Fuel Rally

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The S&P 500 rose 0.6% on Tuesday, surpassing its August peak and taking year‑to‑date gains above 14%, amid higher interest rates and elevated oil prices.

Finance · 6 October 2026

Fed’s Rate Riddle: AI Keeps Thriving While Households Scream

Helen Pell, Washington desk

High borrowing costs are tightening households and businesses, but the AI sector remains buoyant, inflating prices and leaving the Fed puzzled.

Finance · 5 October 2026

Treasury Secretary Bessent’s ‘House’ Loses the Bond Game, Yields Set to Ease

Helen Pell, Washington desk

In an Axios interview, Treasury Secretary Bessent said he can’t control the Treasury market and expects U.S. bond yields to fall over time.

Finance · 3 October 2026

Soft Jobs, Strong Signals: Markets Mock Fed’s Possible Rate Pause

Helen Pell, Washington desk

When a surprisingly gentle jobs report arrives, investors cheer, market indices rally, and the Fed's next move is debated like a game of chance.

Finance · 2 October 2026

Robust Data Centers Face a Robust Wave of Restive Investors

Helen Pell, Washington desk

When bond yields surge, even the most robust data centers see their earnings wobble, prompting a robust industry rally that ends up less robust than expected.

Finance · 2 October 2026

Robust Robot Rally: AI Boom Propels Stocks While Fed Rates Pull the Plug

Helen Pell, Washington desk

AI's bullish wave gives the market a robust lift, but a simultaneous Fed rate hike injects a dose of reality, turning the rally into a precarious balancing act.