It has been a relatively light week following the recent rate changes, as the Federal Reserve has felt the need to drop the current rate by 25 basis points. They have also mentioned the possibility of two additional rate cuts within this year. This follows the recent sharp criticism from the current administration, which condemned the Federal Reserve’s insistence on maintaining existing interest rates.
This development coincides with the Leading Economic Indicators, which have shown that the U.S. economy remains in decline, a trend that began in August. With further rate cuts on the horizon, the broader market reaction has been a positive one.
Consumer Price Index
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points today, the first rate move since last year, as it penciled in two more reductions for this year.
Leading Economic Indicators
US declined by 0.5% in August 2025 to 98.4 (2016=100), after a small 0.1% increase in July (upwardly revised from an originally reported 0.1% decline). The LEI fell by 2.8% over the six months between February and August 2025, a faster rate of decline than its 0.9% contraction over the previous six-month period (August 2024 to February 2025).
Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index
• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.09% for this week, with the current rate at 5.41%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.09% for this week, with the current rate at 6.26%
MND Rate Index
• 30-Yr FHA rates saw an increase of 0.03% for this week. Current rates at 6.03%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw an increase of 0.04% for this week. Current rates at 6.05%
Jobless Claims
Initial Claims were reported to be 231,000 compared to the expected claims of 240,000. The prior week landed at 264,000.
What’s Ahead
U.S. Employment data is set to land next week, with the S&P Final Manufacturing PMI estimates to round up before the end of the year.