Treasury
Most consumers save no money as inflation erodes buying power: EY
An EY-Parthenon survey found that 54% of US households saved no money last month, with one in five households spending more than their income and dipping into savings or borrowing. Inflation remains persistently high, gasoline prices have rebounded to $4.06 per gallon, and consumer confidence fell 8% this month.
Retail sales fall 0.6% as consumers see inflation eroding buying power
Retail sales declined 0.6% in July, well short of expectations, following a 0.2% rise in June. Gas station and auto dealer sales fell, and even excluding these volatile categories, sales decreased. Consumer sentiment fell 8% in August, with older, lower-income, and less-educated consumers most affected. Inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, with core CPI up 2.5% year-over-year in July.
Inflation dips, affirming Fed decision to keep interest rates steady
美国劳工统计局数据显示，7月核心CPI同比上涨2.5%，较6月的2.6%有所放缓，整体CPI同比上涨3.4%，低于6月的3.5%。能源价格环比下降1.5%，但近期美伊冲突导致汽油价格回升。美联储7月维持利率不变的决定获得数据支撑，但通胀仍高于2%目标，部分官员倾向加息。市场对年内降息预期降温，9月FOMC会议或成政策走向关键节点。
US Small Business Optimism Rises to Highest Level Since August 2025
Data released by the NFIB on Tuesday showed that US small business optimism rebounded in July after four consecutive months of decline, with the index rising to 99.8, the highest since August 2025. Twenty percent of surveyed businesses plan to expand hiring in the next three months, the highest level since October 2022. Meanwhile, concerns about labor quality have intensified, while inflationary pressures have eased somewhat.
Finance and Treasury Leaders Focus on Payment Visibility: TCH Executive Analyzes Industry Trends
As enterprises transition to real-time, data-intensive operations, finance and treasury executives face rising demand for transparency in payment and fund systems. Richard Dooley, Vice President of Product Commercialization at The Clearing House (TCH), states that reducing process friction and enhancing visibility are top priorities, while also warning of system resilience risks. He advises financial leaders to avoid being the "last mover" in industry innovation and points out that CFOs will play a key guiding role in the strategic adoption of new solutions such as blockchain-based payments.
Federal Reserve Holds Benchmark Rate Steady, Three Dissenting Votes Reveal Internal Divisions
The Federal Reserve kept the federal funds rate unchanged in the 3.5%-3.75% range at its July meeting, but three regional Fed presidents dissented, advocating for a 25-basis-point rate hike. Chair Warsh called the internal debate a "benign family quarrel" and emphasized the commitment to achieving price stability.
U.S. Coworking Market Continues to Expand, Monthly Desk Prices Dip Slightly
According to the latest report from CoworkingCafe, the total shared office space in the U.S. reached 166 million square feet in Q2 2026, up approximately 17.5% year-over-year. The median monthly rent for open desks and dedicated desks decreased from $225 to $219, while hourly meeting room rates remained stable at $45. A Yardi commercial data director predicts that the share of coworking in office building inventory will continue to rise over the next five to seven years.
S&P Global: US Business Activity and Confidence Rise to Eight-Month High
S&P Global's July purchasing managers' survey shows US business activity and confidence rose to an eight-month high, with companies adding jobs for the first time in three years. The services sector was the main growth engine, while manufacturing growth slowed, but supply chain delays and input cost inflation rose to multi-year highs, and Middle East conflicts further elevated risks.
Key Family Office Investment Points CFOs Should Know
As a source of capital, the heterogeneity of family offices presents unique challenges and opportunities for CFOs. Based on insights from EY experts, this article analyzes their definitions, regulatory frameworks, investment horizons, tax considerations, and key collaboration points.
Persistent inflation pressures, US Chamber of Commerce survey shows small business confidence hit
The latest US Chamber of Commerce survey shows that persistent inflation became the top concern for small business owners in the second quarter, undermining their confidence. 57% of business owners listed inflation as their primary concern, up from the first quarter. Despite a slowdown in consumer price growth in June, the small business optimism index has remained below its historical average for the fourth consecutive month, reflecting both challenges and opportunities in the economic environment.