The latest economic reports offer reasons for optimism. Inflation eased in June. The economy continued growing during the first quarter. Retail sales remained positive, and new-home sales improved slightly in the latest report released July 24. But beneath those headline numbers, several warning signs remain. Hiring has slowed, participation in the workforce has declined and…

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Gold fell 3% on July 13, dropping to $3,996.76 an ounce as renewed conflict with Iran pushed oil futures 5% higher and raised concerns about another inflation surge.[1] At first, that may seem backward. War is escalating. Oil tankers have been attacked. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed. Yet gold initially moved lower.…

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Following America’s 250th anniversary, the economic debate has quickly shifted back to the numbers. The national debt crossed $39 trillion in March 2026, after sitting near $34.6 trillion in March 2025. The Congressional Budget Office projects a $1.9 trillion federal deficit in fiscal year 2026, rising to $3.1 trillion by 2036. CBO also projects net…

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