Section
Interest rates, inflation and jobs.
The Federal Reserve sets one short-term interest rate, yet its decisions ripple into mortgages, savings accounts, stock prices and job markets. This guide explains how the Fed is organized, what its dual mandate means, which tools it uses, how an FOMC meeting works and how to read its statements.
The yield curve is one line on a chart, yet it shapes mortgage rates, bank lending and recession debates. This guide explains how the curve is built, what normal, flat, inverted and steep shapes mean, why inversions get so much attention, and how to read the curve yourself using free official data.
The monthly jobs report is one of the most market-moving releases in the US calendar. This guide explains the two surveys behind it, what payrolls, the unemployment rate, participation and wages each measure, why the numbers get revised, and which other labor data help fill in the picture.
Inflation is reported as a single number, but the US government publishes several measures that answer slightly different questions. This guide explains how the CPI and PCE price indexes are built, why they differ, what core inflation leaves out, why shelter matters so much, and how to read the monthly releases.
