📊 Economic Insights
February 20, 2026
GDP Growth Slows: Is the Consumer Party Over?
Feb 20 report shows slowing growth and consumer spending exhaustion as eroded buying power catches up.
Read Article → Trade WarThe 100% Threat: Canada vs. USA Trade War Escalates
Trump's latest 100% tariff threat against Canada after the China-Canada trade deal. Lumber and energy at risk.
Read Article → MortgagesMortgage Rates Flirt with 5% as Economy Cools
Rates dropping toward 5% on weaker economic data and bond market reactions. Feb 19-20 data.
Read Article →February 19, 2026
House Votes to Revoke Canada Tariffs
219-211 bipartisan rebuke. Symbolic but signals rift on economic strategy; lumber and energy importers on edge.
Read Article → Mortgage TickRates Edge Up to 5.87% After CPI Relief
30-year fixed up 7 bps this morning. Spring cut speculation keeps floor below 7%; labor cost of debt remains high.
Read Article → Purchasing PowerReal Wages vs. The 2026 Price Floor
2.4% CPI is a win on paper. Base prices 20-30% above pre-pandemic—if wage growth doesn't beat 2.4%, you're losing ground.
Read Article →February 18, 2026
Mortgage Rates Fall Again: 6.26% Average
30-year fixed hits new 2026 low. Bond markets react to weak retail data; buyers save roughly $210/month on a $500k loan.
Read Article → Economic DataConsumer Fatigue: Retail Sales Flatline at 0.0%
Commerce Dept. reports flat retail sales, missing 0.4% expectations. Essentials hold; discretionary spending drops sharply.
Read Article → Tariff WatchTech Panic: March 1st Tariff Deadline Drives Demand
Pre-buy surge in laptops and consoles before 60% China tariffs. Sales likely to crash in March when prices jump.
Read Article →February 17, 2026
Apple & Nvidia Warn of Price Hikes
60% China tariff still set for March 1st. Laptops, consoles, and phones could surge in price in 12 days.
Read Article → ShrinkflationInflation Down, Package Sizes Smaller
Official CPI is 2.4%, but shrinkflation means you pay the same and get less. Real cost of living stays high.
Read Article → HousingMortgage Rates Dip Below 7%
30-year fixed breaks 7% for the first time in weeks. Loan applications surge 15% overnight.
Read Article →February 16, 2026
House Votes to Block Canada Tariffs
The House voted to overturn the national emergency declaration on Canadian imports. Markets are pricing in uncertainty for lumber and energy.
Read Article → InflationInflation Falls to 2.4%
January CPI beat expectations. Core prices stay sticky—your wallet may not feel the slowdown yet.
Read Article → Market WatchRate Cut Hopes Return
The 2.4% CPI print boosted odds of a spring rate cut. Debt servicing still costs more labor hours than five years ago.
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