Nationwide economists Ben Ayers and Daniel Vielhaber discuss one of the biggest consumer spending seasons of the year: back-to-school shopping. Every August, American families head to stores and websites to purchase everything from pencils and backpacks to laptops, tablets, dorm furnishings and clothing. This year, consumers are balancing those purchases against higher prices, economic uncertainty, and ongoing concerns about household budgets. Yet despite those pressures, spending on both K-12 and college students is expected to reach record levels. Ben and Daniel share their thoughts on what all this says about consumer confidence, inflation, credit usage, retail trends, and the broader health of the U.S. economy. [NFM-22911AO]

Kathy Bostjancic (Nationwide's Chief Economist) and Mark Hackett (Nationwide's Chief Market Strategist) discuss the impact that AI investment is having on the economy and financial markets, how investor sentiment is shifting, and whether the rapid acceleration in investment could be setting the stage for an AI-driven bubble. [NFM-25266M3]

The latest inflation readings suggest price growth may be moderating, offering some potential relief for the Fed and their decisions on monetary policy. Nationwide Senior Economist Ben Ayers and economist Daniel Vielhaber examine whether cooler inflation is reducing pressure on the Federal Reserve and what that could mean for interest rates, economic growth and financial markets in the months ahead. [NFM-22911AO]

As we continue our five-episode series on retirement and investment strategies across different generations, this episode focuses on Baby Boomers—many of whom are already retired or preparing for retirement. Another major trend is increasingly reshaping the financial landscape: The Great Wealth Transfer. According to research from Cerulli Associates, an estimated $124 trillion in wealth is expected to be transferred between 2024 and 2048, with approximately $79 trillion coming from Baby Boomer households. Tom Duncan (Senior Director of Advanced Consulting Group) and Ben Ayers (Nationwide AVP and Senior Economist) discuss what these trends mean for retirees, investors, families, and future generations. [NFM-25266AO]

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh led his second FOMC policy meeting this week. As expected, the committee kept the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%. In his press conference, Warsh briefly discussed the current state of the economy and responded to several questions regarding the debate within the FOMC on potential rate hikes. Nationwide's Chief Economist Kathy Bostjancic and Head of Enterprise Portfolio Management Leo Svoboda share their reaction to his statement and press conference responses, the market's reaction, the 10-year Treasury yields, shape of the yield curve, AI-related debt issuance, and their outlook for future rate announcements from the Fed. [NFM-22911AO]

Agriculture is an important sector of the U.S. economy, and farmers continue to face a challenging mix of market, financial, and weather-related pressures. Nationwide economists Ben Ayers and Daniel Vielhaber discuss the outlook for farm income, crop production, and agricultural markets and what these trends could mean for food prices and consumers. [NFM-22911AO]

After inflation climbed three months in a row on rising energy prices, June provided a reversal of these trends. Investors are trying to gauge if and when the Fed may raise interest rates - especially since the renewed hostilities has sent energy prices higher again. Nationwide's Chief Economist Kathy Bostjancic and Financial Market Economist Oren Klachkin discuss how June's CPI report affects our outlook for inflation and monetary policy. They also provide their key takeaways from Fed Chair Warsh's first semi-annual testimony in front of Congress. [NFM-22911AO]

As North America hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States is experiencing one of the largest sporting events in history - and the economic impact is expected to be massive with ripple effects reaching far beyond the stadiums. Jim McCoy (Nationwide's VP of Sports Marketing) and Oren Klachkin (AVP, Financial Market Economist) explore the impact that the World Cup and sports in general have on the U.S. economy. [NFM-22911AO]

Nationwide's Ben Ayers and Daniel Vielhaber discuss the economic perspectives of America 250 and how the economy has evolved over the years - from prices and population shifts to global influence and emerging industries. We’ll also explore how regional celebrations and global events like the World Cup could shape economic activity in the years ahead. And finally, as we look ahead, we'll ask what historians might say about the economic choices we’re making today. [NFM-22911AO]

The FOMC just wrapped up its first meeting with new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. What comments did Warsh provide on the state of the economy and where rates may be headed. Are hikes possibly in the future or could we see more cuts? What other changes could we see from the Fed under its new leader? Nationwide's Chief Economist Kathy Bostjancic and Investment Leader and Head of Fixed Income for Nationwide Brad Beman share their reaction to Warsh's comments and the outlook for the fed funds rate. [NFM-22911AO]