None of the economic data released in the last week moved the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee off their expected stance, leaving interest rates unchanged and a bit more optimistic that policy was starting to work as hoped. Markets seem to have reacted positively, although we include an article that discusses why most markets or at or near correction territory since their summer peaks. This week’s list also includes a variety of other interesting articles related to investing, the future of the work force, and a few articles for fun. And enjoy that extra hour of sleep!

Economics

• Surpising no one, the Fed holds rates steady following this week’s FOMC. (CNBC) (NYT)
• Late last week the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, the PCE price index, was released for September, coming in at 0.3%, as expected. Personal consumption expenditures were up 0.7%, more than expected. (CNBC)
• U.S. Productivity jumped in the third quarter, and unit labor costs actually declined! (MarketWatch)
• JOLTS (job openings) at the end of October rose slightly from the prior month. (Reuters)
• Net job creation for October came in lower than expected at 150,000, and unemployment crept up to 3.9%, a sign the Fed policies are slowing things down a bit, or did the UAW strike have an impact on these numbers? (Yahoo Finance)
• Center for Inflation Research (Cleveland Fed) just published its October update if you care to dive a little deeper into the subject. There is also a link for you to subscribe to the updates yourself.
• Big box stores are closing in many major metropolitan areas, citing theft and organized crime as the reason, but are they hiding underperformance under this excuse? (CNN)
• GM reaches tentative agreement with the UAW, the third and final such agreement. (CNBC)

Investing

• The Financial Times offers an explanation for why the S&P 500 (and other equity indices) have fallen from the summer peak into correction territory.
• Ben Carlson in A Wealth of Common Sense post tells the story of crash predictor John Hussman and puts his dire predictions in perspective.
• Elon Musk values X (Twitter) at less than half of what he paid for it as he issues equity to employees this week. (The Verge)
• A settlement was reached in the first class action suit brought against realtors for how they charge commissions may foretell changing to the industry ahead. (Morning Brew)

Career

• What would young people be willing to give up for a 4-day work week. (CNBC)
• Microsoft launched 365 Copilot, its AI application for business. Will this change the company’s trajectory? Will “proficient in Copilot” be popping up on resumes? (Yahoo Finance)

Just Because (not strictly finance)

• Track how and where home schooling has become the fastest-growing form of education in the US. (WAPO)
• This is a very cool animated tracking of the most popular websites over the last 30 years. Students might have fun with it, as it speaks volumes about economic and social trends over time. (YouTube-Data is Fun)
• Forbes has compiled a list of the top companies for women. (Forbes)
• A little late for Halloween, but here are the “Highest Grossing Horror Movies of all Time.” (Visual Capitalist)

About the Author

Beth Tallman

Beth Tallman entered the working world armed with an MBA in finance and thoroughly enjoyed her first career working in manufacturing and telecommunications, including a stint overseas. She took advantage of an involuntary separation to try teaching high school math, something she had always dreamed of doing. When fate stepped in once again, Beth jumped on the opportunity to combine her passion for numbers, money, and education to develop curriculum and teach personal finance at Oberlin College. Beth now spends her time writing on personal finance and financial education, conducts student workshops, and develops finance curricula and educational content. She is also the Treasurer of Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.