This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the first Federal Reserve meeting under new Chair Kevin Warsh and why the market may need to rethink expectations for interest rates.

While rates remained unchanged, the Fed's messaging took a noticeably different tone. Lauren examines what Warsh's leadership style could mean for future policy decisions, inflation management, Fed communications, and the broader economic outlook.

For business leaders, investors, and decision-makers trying to navigate persistent inflation and uncertain rate expectations, this meeting may offer important clues about what comes next.

Will a new chair lead to a new era at the Federal Reserve?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the latest housing market data and explains why housing activity remains under pressure despite signs that the decline is beginning to stabilize. With affordability challenges, elevated mortgage rates, and existing home sales hovering near levels seen during the 2008-09 financial crisis, what does the outlook hold for builders, suppliers, and businesses tied to housing?

Will improving trends in 2026 be enough to spark a meaningful recovery, or is the housing market facing a longer road ahead?

🔗 Register here for our upcoming webinar "Winning US States for the 2030s" → https://hubs.ly/Q04dnhxM0

📊 Trends Report Free Preview → https://hubs.la/Q03ybVV00

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down a week packed with economic data, including a stronger-than-expected jobs report, elevated CPI and PPI inflation readings, and what they mean for the Federal Reserve's next move. As markets increasingly price out rate cuts, Lauren examines why the conversation may be shifting toward higher interest rates instead.

She also explores the European Central Bank's surprise rate hike and what it could signal for the global inflation outlook. If you're trying to understand where interest rates, inflation, and economic growth are headed next, this episode highlights the key trends business leaders should be watching.

Do you think the Fed's next move could be a rate increase rather than a rate cut?

#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Inflation #Economy #FedWatch #EconomicForecast #JobsReport #CPI #PPI #ITREconomics

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain examines the rapid growth of US data center construction and why the industry remains a key economic bright spot. While forecasts call for continued expansion through 2028, new challenges surrounding energy infrastructure, electricity costs, and proposed legislation could reshape the outlook.

Will data center growth continue at its current pace, or are early warning signs beginning to emerge?

🔗 Register here for our upcoming webinar "Winning US States for the 2030s" → https://hubs.ly/Q04dnhxM0

2025 Executive webinar, "Strategic Shifts for Resiliency in the 2030s Great Depression" → https://itrondemand.com/store/product/strategic-shifts-resiliency-2030s

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down Trimmed Mean PCE, the inflation measure drawing increased attention from Federal Reserve policymakers.

With inflation signals sending mixed messages, businesses and investors face a growing challenge: which data should they trust when assessing future interest rate decisions? Lauren explains how Trimmed Mean PCE works, why some policymakers favor it, and what it could mean for the Fed's approach to inflation going forward.

Could this lesser-known metric become a more influential guide for monetary policy? Watch to learn what makes it different and why it matters.

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain explains why ITR Economics has upgraded its Producer Price Index (PPI) forecast for 2026 from 3.4% to 5.0%. Rising commodity costs, geopolitical uncertainty, and supply chain pressures are creating new challenges for businesses trying to protect margins and maintain profitability.

How should companies adjust their pricing strategy when key inputs like copper, aluminum, and oil are rising much faster than overall inflation? Tune in as Taylor breaks down the latest outlook and what it means for business leaders planning for the years ahead.

🔗 Register here for our webinar "Winning US States for the 2030s" → https://hubs.ly/Q04dnhxM0 Trends Report Free Preview → https://hubs.la/Q03ybVV00

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the latest GDP revision, persistent inflation pressures, and why expectations for future Fed policy may be shifting in a surprising direction.

Many business leaders are waiting for lower interest rates before making major investment decisions. But what if that wait no longer makes sense? Lauren explores what the latest economic data is signaling, why inflation remains stubbornly elevated, and how changing market expectations could impact capital spending decisions heading into the second half of the year.

Could the next Fed move be a rate hike instead of a rate cut?

Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain sits down with Lauren Saidel-Baker to discuss what a new Fed chair could mean for inflation, interest rates, and business strategy heading into 2030. With inflation remaining stubbornly high and bond markets signaling concern, should businesses rethink their borrowing and investment plans before rates move even higher? Could the next move from the Fed actually be another rate hike?

🔗 Register here for our webinar "Winning US States for the 2030s" → https://hubs.ly/Q04dnhxM0

Connect with us on LinkedIn!

ITR → https://www.linkedin.com/company/itr-economics/

Taylor → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tstg/

Lauren → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-saidel-baker/

This week on Fed Watch, ITR Economist and Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker breaks down the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes and the growing divide inside the Fed over the future direction of interest rates. While markets continue searching for clues about future rate cuts, new dissents from Fed officials reveal deeper concerns about persistent inflation and the path forward under incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh.

Lauren explains why these disagreements matter for businesses, investors, and economic planning, and what the structure of the Federal Open Market Committee could mean for future policy decisions. As uncertainty around inflation and monetary policy continues, understanding how these internal Fed debates shape economic outcomes is becoming increasingly important.

Could shifting dynamics inside the Fed change the direction of interest rates sooner than markets expect?

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain is joined by Economist and Consultant Speaker Derek Stanley to discuss how businesses should prepare for the economic realities of the 2030s. While growth opportunities remain strong over the next four years, relying on linear planning could leave companies exposed when conditions shift.

In this episode, we break down the importance of cash flow management, debt reduction, resilient industries, and geographic strategy as businesses position themselves for long-term success. Which industries may hold up better during the next major downturn? And what steps should leaders be taking today to protect their companies tomorrow?

🔗 Register here for our webinar "Winning US States for the 2030s" → https://hubs.ly/Q04dnhxM0