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Everyday Economics: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Center Square
Economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug join forces to unravel the complexities of global markets, inflation, and everything else you need to know to navigate the economic world around you.
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- 5 days ago11 min
The Fed May Raise Rates— But Can the Economy Take It?
The Federal Reserve faces a major decision this week: raise interest rates or hold them steady as energy prices push inflation higher. Markets are pricing in a strong chance of a quarter-point rate hike, but PhD economist Orphe Divounguy argues the Fed should hold. His concern: the current inflation increase is being driven largely by a supply shock in energy, while the underlying economy is showing signs of weakness. Core inflation is around 2.4%, wage growth is easing, hiring remains near a decade low and recent economic growth has been heavily concentrated in AI investment. Divounguy argues that raising interest rates can cool demand — but it cannot produce more oil or directly fix an energy supply shock. Chris Krug and Orphe Divounguy also examine the growing divide inside the Federal Reserve, inflation expectations, the labor market and whether Chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish comments at Jackson Hole have created a credibility problem heading into Wednesday's decision. The key question: Is another rate hike necessary to fight inflation, or could it risk over-tightening an already fragile economy? Everyday Economics is hosted by Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy and is brought to you by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 1 weeks ago9 min
Trump Promised Lower Prices — What Can a President Actually Control?
President Trump made promises to lower prices on everything from gas and groceries to electricity, mortgages, prescription drugs and childcare. But how much control does a president actually have over the prices Americans pay?Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy break down eight major price categories and examine what drives them — from energy costs and supply shocks to interest rates and federal policy.Gas, beef, groceries, electricity and childcare have all become more expensive, while 30-year mortgage rates and prescription drug prices have moved in the opposite direction. The discussion also looks at the role of tariffs, the Middle East conflict, Federal Reserve policy and Medicare drug-price negotiations.So which prices can a president meaningfully influence, and which are largely determined by forces outside the White House?Everyday Economics is hosted by Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy and is brought to you by The Center Square Newswire Service. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 1 weeks ago10 min
America Is Spending Billions on AI... Where’s the Productivity Payoff?
America is pouring money into artificial intelligence — but the productivity gains have yet to fully show up in the economy.Employers added 162,000 jobs in August and unemployment held at 4.1%, but PhD economist Orphe Divounguy says the latest labor market data look more like a stabilization than a true rebound. Hiring remains weak, real wages are falling, long-term unemployment is rising, and the labor force is nearly a million workers smaller.At the same time, businesses are making massive investments in AI infrastructure. Equipment and intellectual property investment accounted for a significant share of recent economic growth, while construction spending has shifted heavily toward data centers.So where is the payoff?Chris Krug and Orphe Divounguy examine whether AI is actually increasing productivity, why businesses are still figuring out how to use the technology, and what could happen to workers as AI changes the skills employers need. They also compare today's transition to previous technological shifts, including the adoption of electricity.Everyday Economics is hosted by Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy and is brought to you by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 weeks ago10 min
The AI Boom Has a $40 Trillion Problem
The U.S. economy is making a massive bet on artificial intelligence, pouring capital into data centers, chips and power infrastructure — much of it financed with debt. But the productivity payoff investors are expecting has yet to show up in the broader economic data. Economist Orphe Divounguy explains why AI productivity growth is becoming less of an upside surprise and more of a requirement for the economy to justify the enormous investment. With roughly $40 trillion in government debt and real interest rates remaining elevated, the stakes of the AI boom are much bigger than the technology sector alone. If AI fails to deliver stronger productivity and real income growth, the consequences could spread across the economy through higher borrowing costs, weaker growth, and potentially tougher choices on taxes or government spending. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and Dr. O break down who is ultimately carrying the risk of the AI investment boom — and why the economy may need the payoff sooner rather than later. Everyday Economics is brought to you by The Center Square Newswire Service. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 weeks ago9 min
Home Builders Are Cutting Prices — But Buyers Still Can’t Afford Homes
Home builders are cutting prices and offering incentives, but buyers are still struggling to get into the housing market. New home sales fell to a 607,000 annual pace in July, while housing inventory jumped to 9.6 months of supply — the highest level since January. Builders are responding with rate buy-downs, closing-cost assistance and price cuts averaging about 6%. PhD economist Orphe Divounguy explains why the housing market is increasingly split into winners and losers, with luxury homes holding up while the middle of the market — roughly $500,000 to $800,000 — remains stuck. Mortgage rates around 6.7% are making it difficult for buyers to enter the market, while builders in the South and Sun Belt face growing inventories after years of heavy construction. Meanwhile, markets in the Midwest and Northeast continue to face a shortage of housing. Everyday Economics is hosted by Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy and is brought to you by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 weeks ago11 min
The Fed Says the Economy Is Strong but the Data Tell a Different Story.
The economy may look strong on the surface, but a closer look at the numbers reveals a much narrower and weaker expansion. In his first Jackson Hole speech, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh pointed to a 4.1% unemployment rate, strong business investment and rising corporate profits as signs of a resilient economy. But much of that growth is being driven by the massive AI buildout, while housing, construction and other parts of the economy continue to struggle.PhD economist Orphe Divounguy explains why the U.S. economy is increasingly operating at two speeds, why roughly 80% of second-quarter GDP growth came from equipment and intellectual property spending tied to the AI boom, and why the labor market may be weaker than the headline unemployment rate suggests. With hiring near its lowest level since the aftermath of the Great Recession and the labor force shrinking, the Fed faces a difficult decision over whether to raise interest rates or wait for more data.Everyday Economics is hosted by Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphe Divounguy and is brought to you by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 3 weeks ago10 min
Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You Hundreds More Each Month
Mortgage rates could remain elevated as the bond market does the Federal Reserve’s work for it, keeping borrowing costs higher for consumers and businesses. Economist Orphe Divounguy explains what rising Treasury yields mean for mortgage rates, credit cards and the housing market. Homebuyers waiting for lower rates may be paying a price for holding off. Divounguy notes that someone who bought a typical U.S. home when mortgage rates were around 6% in February would have saved roughly $146 a month compared with those who waited. In this episode, we break down why the Fed may leave rates unchanged, how inflation is influencing the bond market, and why trying to time mortgage rates could be a costly strategy. Everyday Economics is brought to you by The Center Square Newswire Service. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 3 weeks ago8 min
Inflation Is Squeezing American Households and Savings Are Taking the Hit
American households are feeling the squeeze as inflation continues to push up the cost of everyday life. New personal consumption expenditures data shows income is finally growing faster than spending, but consumers are still spending more than their inflation-adjusted incomes and drawing down savings to keep up. In this episode of Everyday Economics, Chris Krug and PhD economist Orphée break down what the latest economic data means for American families — from healthcare and groceries to housing, interest rates and big-ticket purchases. They also examine how government spending, energy costs, tariffs and higher interest rates are affecting consumers, why housing demand is weakening, and what could happen to the economy heading into the fall and next year. In this episode: • Inflation and the rising cost of living • Americans drawing down savings • Household income vs. spending • Housing demand and mortgage-sensitive spending • Government spending and interest rates • Energy and transportation costs • Tariffs and their potential economic impact • AI investment and economic growth • What consumers can do in a slowing economy Subscribe to The Center Square for more reporting and analysis on the economy, government spending and the issues affecting American taxpayers. #Inflation #Economy #Economics #CostOfLiving #Housing #GovernmentSpending #EverydayEconomics Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
About Everyday Economics
Economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug join forces to unravel the complexities of global markets, inflation, and everything else you need to know to navigate the economic world around you.
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