Without Government Spending & Trade, GDP Rose by 2.5% in Q1, Boosted by AI Investments. Debt-to-GDP Ticks up to 122.6%

by Wolf Richter • Apr 30, 2026 • 0 Comments

Consumer Spending Was OK-ish. Federal government spending spiked back partially after collapsing during the shutdown. Trade worsened.

Regime Change: Powell, Chair of Mega-QE & “Ample Reserves Regime,” to Be Replaced by Warsh, who Wants a Smaller Balance Sheet

by Wolf Richter • Apr 29, 2026 • 28 Comments

But Powell said he’d stay on as governor until “the investigation is well and truly over,” and promised “to keep a low profile” and support the new chair.

This Fed Meeting Must Have Been a Hoot. Fed Holds Rates amid 4 Dissents, most since 1992: 1 Dovish, 3 Hawkish

by Wolf Richter • Apr 29, 2026 • 61 Comments

“Inflation is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices.” In part. And in part for other reasons.

Housing Unit Growth Far Outruns Population Growth: Vacant Units on the Market and the “Accidental Landlords”

by Wolf Richter • Apr 28, 2026 • 87 Comments

These dynamics are now moving in the right direction.

Two More Imploded Real-Estate Brokerage Stocks Tie the Knot: REMAX -85% from Peak, Real Brokerage -70%

by Wolf Richter • Apr 27, 2026 • 36 Comments

Been brutal for real-estate stocks plunging from overhyped or meme-stock valuations amid thick losses, lots of debt, and a frozen housing market: Compass, Redfin, Anywhere Real Estate, eXp, and Douglas Elliman.

THANK YOU 💖 for Your Wonderful Support of WOLF STREET!!! If You Missed the Spring Reminder: Please Donate

by Wolf Richter • Apr 27, 2026 • 5 Comments

Your wonderful support is what keeps Wolf Street open to all, without paywall, to reach the largest possible audience.

US Government Sold $524 Billion of Treasury Securities this Week. Inflation to Surpass T-Bill Yields. Brutal Bond Math

by Wolf Richter • Apr 25, 2026 • 63 Comments

The effects of Tax Day. The 10-Year Treasury yield rose to 4.31%, 30-Year Treasury yield to 4.91%.

Senate Confirmation of Warsh, who Wants to Reduce the Fed’s Balance Sheet, Gets Unstuck as DOJ Ends Powell Investigation

by Wolf Richter • Apr 24, 2026 • 96 Comments

Even during the Senate hearings, Warsh stuck to his guns: the Fed should have a smaller balance sheet.

Dynamics and Surging Magnitude of US LNG Exports: Started 10 Years Ago in a Glut of Natural Gas that Collapsed the Price

by Wolf Richter • Apr 23, 2026 • 53 Comments

10th liquefaction & export terminal shipped first cargo. List of LNG export terminals, operating and under construction, by in-service date.

Hedge-Fund Meme-Stock Short-Squeeze Queen Avis Budget [CAR] Implodes by 72% in 26 Hours

by Wolf Richter • Apr 23, 2026 • 34 Comments

“Stairs up, express elevator down” as hedge funds sock it to each other.

RTO Languishes Despite Efforts to Force it to Happen, only Minuscule Reduction in WFH since Early 2023

by Wolf Richter • Apr 22, 2026 • 18 Comments

The share of “full paid days worked from home” has been declining by only about 1 percentage point per year.

Did Americans Scrimp at Other Retailers to Buy Gas? Nope, not Americans. Born to Splurge

by Wolf Richter • Apr 21, 2026 • 75 Comments

Even without gas stations, retail sales jumped, powered by ecommerce, auto dealers, general merchandise stores, and other retailers.

Pending Home Sales Still in the Deepfreeze, Drop in the West & Midwest, Tick up in the South & Northeast

by Wolf Richter • Apr 21, 2026 • 40 Comments

Down by 35% from 2021, by 30% from 2019, and by 31% from 2018. The housing market is in the 4th year of this relentless mess.

Condo Prices Dropped by 12% to 31% in 31 Bigger Markets. Some Are where They’d Been 20 Years ago, such as Oakland

by Wolf Richter • Apr 20, 2026 • 40 Comments

Condos face some special challenges. Oakland (-31%), St. Petersburg, FL (-28%), Austin (-26%) … the names pile up.

Nasdaq up by 60% since Liberation Day Selloff and by 100% in 3 Years. People Are Just Having Fun

by Wolf Richter • Apr 17, 2026 • 174 Comments

While the Nasdaq gained 100%, the economy grew by 15% not adjusted for inflation. Who needs cryptos when stocks are so much fun.

The Most Splendid Housing Bubbles in America: Price Drops & Gains in 33 Big Expensive Cities, March 2026

by Wolf Richter • Apr 16, 2026 • 63 Comments

From the “Mansion Shortage” in AI-bubble-epicenter San Francisco infecting mid-tier home prices, to Austin & Oakland where prices plunged over 25% since 2022.

Dear Readers, Please Donate to WOLF STREET: Spring 2026 Reminder

by Wolf Richter • Apr 16, 2026 • 30 Comments

Your generous support over the years has kept WOLF STREET free and open to all, without paywall. Thank you!!

The Largest Foreign Holders of US Treasury Securities and the “Basis Trade”: April 2026 Update

by Wolf Richter • Apr 15, 2026 • 49 Comments

Foreign demand for the ballooning US Treasury debt is an increasingly important issue. But how much of that demand is actually “foreign?”

Car & Truck Inflation in America: Cost of Vehicle Ownership Soared by 36% since 2020

by Wolf Richter • Apr 14, 2026 • 113 Comments

Prices of new & used vehicles, insurance, gasoline, maintenance & repairs, parts & accessories, and fees.

PPI Jumps by over 6% Month-to-Month Annualized for 3rd Month in a Row. Energy Price Spike just Latest Wrinkle

by Wolf Richter • Apr 14, 2026 • 25 Comments

The hit from energy in March was softened as food and services briefly backed off. In prior months, services were the driver.