June 2026

Fed Holds Rates Steady as Markets Rally on Middle East Deal

Most markets were closed last Friday in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day. Wall Street rallied last week as investors displayed optimism over the signing of an initial agreement ending hostilities in the Middle East. Market gains were realized despite the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady at 3.50%-3.75% following the first meeting under new […]

Federal Student Loan Changes for 2026-2027

Every May, interest rates on federal student loans are recalculated for the upcoming school year. The rates are determined by combining the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note with an additional fixed amount set by Congress. Based on this formula, interest rates on federal student loans are set to increase slightly for the 2026–2027 […]

Stocks Rebound as Inflation Rises and Fed Decision Looms

Wall Street began last week with a heavy sell-off as investors appeared anxious about the U.S.-Iran war, elevated inflation, and fears of a potential tech correction. However, stocks staged a massive turnaround midweek, driven by easing tensions in the Middle East and the largest initial public offering in U.S. financial history. Consumer staples and real […]

Employer Beliefs vs Worker Reality in Today’s Workplace

Employer beliefs vs worker reality can differ significantly when it comes to the financial and workplace challenges employees face today. A recent survey by Transamerica Institute found that many workers are struggling with inflation, caregiving responsibilities, financial stress, and changing job requirements, while employers may underestimate the extent of these pressures and their impact on […]

Strong Jobs Report Ends Stock Rally as Rate Cut Hopes Fade

For much of last week, stocks continued a rally that appeared headed for another week of gains. However, investors, who had been clinging to the prospect of monetary easing, had those hopes all but dashed after a better-than-expected jobs report (see below) doused any hopes of an interest rate reduction in the immediate future. Heading […]

Retirement Confidence Down

Retirement confidence slipped in 2026 after showing signs of improvement the year before, with both workers and retirees feeling less certain about their financial future. According to the latest findings from the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey, only about three in five workers now say they are confident they will have enough […]

Broad Market Rally Continues as Investor Confidence Expands Beyond Tech

Wall Street ended the week with broad gains, record-setting index performances, and a notable shift toward broader market participation beyond tech and AI shares. The Dow, the S&P 500, the NASDAQ, and the Global Dow each finished the week higher. The S&P 500 extended an eight-week winning streak, while the Dow recorded new highs. Markets […]