Policy news summaries — Page 2
Essential facts and source links for recent policy stories.
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SSA expected to announce 2027 COLA, wage cap and earnings-test limit Oct. 14
The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on Oct. 14, when September inflation data are due, along with new program figures. The earnings-test limit, wage cap and work-credit threshold are expected to rise. -
Investors open Q4 watching payrolls and inflation for rate clues
Investors will watch Friday’s U.S. jobs and euro zone inflation reports and Wednesday’s U.S. inflation data for rate clues. Economists expect 100,000 jobs in September and 4.2% unemployment; futures show about even odds of an October quarter-point Fed hike. -
Fed seeks public input on proposed GENIUS Act stablecoin rules
On Sept. 24, the Fed proposed two GENIUS Act rules: one on reserves, capital and risk controls for supervised payment-stablecoin issuers, and one for banks seeking to issue through subsidiaries. The proposals have a 60-day comment period after Federal Register publication. -
US airline group opposes China flight expansion, citing Russian airspace gap
Airlines for America chief Chris Sununu said US carriers oppose more direct China-US flights after Xi Jinping floated an increase. He said Chinese airlines’ ability to overfly Russia on eight flights gives them a cost advantage; each side can fly about 50 round trips weekly. -
Two Fed policymakers say another hike may be needed as inflation stays high
Philadelphia Fed's Anna Paulson said modest further tightening may be warranted if conditions evolve as expected; New York Fed's John Williams said another hike may be appropriate by year-end. The Fed's benchmark rate is 3.75%-4.00%, and July PCE inflation was 3.7%. -
Nikkei reports Honda's $1.90B-$2.53B Ohio hybrid plant plan; Honda says no decision
Nikkei reported Honda was in final preparations for an Ohio hybrid-vehicle plant costing 300 billion to 400 billion yen ($1.90 billion to $2.53 billion), with production expected in 2030. Honda’s US spokesman said no decisions had been made at this stage about a US plant. -
IRS says fake ‘Tribal Tax Credits’ do not exist, warns taxpayers of penalties
The IRS warns taxpayers that “Tribal Tax Credits” and similar promotions are fake ahead of the Oct. 15 extension deadline. Claiming one can lead to the proper tax being assessed, plus penalties and interest, and potentially fines or imprisonment. -
Brazil central bank says slower 2027 growth is needed for 3% inflation goal
Brazil’s central bank says slower economic activity in 2027 is essential for inflation to converge on its 3% target. It forecasts GDP growth of 1.4%, against the government’s 2.3% projection, and annual inflation of 3.1% from the second quarter of 2028 onward. -
BoE deputies inch toward rate hikes as energy costs threaten persistent inflation
Bank of England deputy governors Clare Lombardelli and Sarah Breeden are considering a shift toward rate hikes, warning persistent energy costs could entrench inflation through wage and price-setting; both voted last week to hold the benchmark at 3.75%. -
NFAP estimates proposed H-1B fee could raise $2.6 billion, not DHS's $8.8 billion
A National Foundation for American Policy analysis estimates DHS’s proposed $103,265 fee on H-1B cap-subject petitions could raise $2.6 billion a year, about 70% below DHS’s $8.8 billion projection. It forecasts 30,270 petitions, compared with DHS’s 85,000 assumption. -
US 10-year Treasury yield tops 5% as investors assess market risks
A U.S. bond selloff that began with the war with Iran has pushed the 10-year Treasury yield above 5%, a level it has rarely sustained in nearly two decades, lifting borrowing costs and putting stocks, government debt and dealmaking under scrutiny. -
Breeden says rising inflation risks strengthen case for BoE rate hikes
Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden said rate rises are increasingly appropriate as inflation risks grow, warning against waiting too long for high energy prices to feed into wider pressures. Her focus is November’s decision; later moves depend on the economy. -
Anna Paulson says the Fed may need modest further rate hikes
Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson said modest further rate hikes may be warranted if conditions evolve as she expects. After last week’s Fed hike, she said underlying inflation showed no sign of easing and the risk of persistently high inflation had increased. -
IMF board endorses a more focused reform agenda for loan programs
The IMF board backed recommendations to focus loan programs on fewer, deeper reforms. The Fund says budget adjustments should be front-loaded only as far as feasible, alongside realistic growth measures and adequate social spending to protect vulnerable people. -
Brazil bank projects 3.1% inflation for Q2 2028, trims growth outlook
Brazil’s central bank projected annual inflation at 3.1% in Q2 2028, near its 3% target and the key horizon for its November rate decision, and at the same level through Q1 2029. It lowered its 2026 growth forecast to 1.8% from 2.0% and projected 1.4% for 2027. -
Warsh’s plan for less Fed guidance may leave markets more volatile
At Jackson Hole on Aug. 28, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh called for a “quieter” Fed with less advance guidance; Motley Fool says the shift could increase market volatility. After the Sept. 16 rate hike, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw modest volatility, while the Dow fell 1.21%. -
Fed hopes anchored expectations can cool inflation without hurting jobs
After its first rate hike in three years on Sept. 16, the Federal Reserve is betting that anchored inflation expectations can slow price increases without raising unemployment. PCE inflation is 3.7%; officials project it will remain above the 2% target until 2029. -
Norway’s central bank lifts rate to 4.5%, leaves door open to another hike
Norway’s central bank raised its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.50% on Thursday and said another hike is possible if the inflation outlook warrants it. Core consumer prices rose 3% year-on-year in August, above the bank’s roughly 2% target. -
Lombardelli says persistent energy costs may require BoE rate rises
Bank of England Deputy Governor Clare Lombardelli said rates are increasingly likely to need to rise if energy prices stay high, unless there is clear evidence of disinflation or weaker activity. She joined the 6-3 majority that kept Bank Rate at 3.75% last week. -
Another US rate hike may be needed before year-end, Williams says
New York Fed President John Williams said a further U.S. rate increase before the end of 2026 is a reasonable possibility to curb inflation risks, but said officials will assess incoming data before acting. The Fed raised its policy rate last week to 3.75%-4.00%. -
After the Fed's unanimous hike, Warsh's 'dose' phrase fuels talk of more increases
In a unanimous 12-0 September vote, the Fed raised its target rate 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%. Chair Kevin Warsh repeated “removed a dose of accommodation” three times; The Motley Fool sees it as a hint of further hikes if inflation fails to cool fast enough. -
2027 Social Security COLA announcement expected on Oct. 14
The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on Oct. 14, when September’s CPI is released. Current estimates put the increase at 3.5% to 3.6%. The Motley Fool cautions that it may still fall short of retirees’ rising costs. -
China’s share of global container exports hits a record 40%
China’s share of global container exports hit a record 40% on a rolling three-month basis, up 2.5% in nine months, the EU Chamber of Commerce in China’s president said. One tariff economist said the rise may reflect rerouting, not a larger share of global trade. -
Sakurai forecasts BOJ hikes every three months, reaching 2% by June 2027
Former Bank of Japan board member Makoto Sakurai expects the BOJ to raise its 1.25% policy rate about every three months, reaching 1.5% by year-end and 2% around June 2027; he says consumer inflation may exceed 3% by year-end or early 2027. -
South Africa's 150% tax break may not secure future vehicle production
South Africa's 150% tax deduction for electric and hydrogen vehicle production starts in March 2026, but executives warn it may not secure future investment amid competition from Asia and concerns over costs, power reliability and policy certainty. -
Hungary’s inflation-target cut strengthens euro-linked bond appeal
Hungary’s central bank cut its inflation target to 2.5% from 3%, effective in 2028, saying the move supports euro-adoption requirements. The decision has strengthened investor demand for Hungarian bonds as the new government pursues euro membership. -
Fourth Mexico-U.S. trade-talk round delayed, with October a possibility
Mexico’s fourth round of trade talks with the United States will not happen next week and may be held in October, deputy economy minister Luis Rosendo Gutierrez said, citing scheduling conflicts including Chinese President Xi Jinping’s U.S. visit and the G20 summit. -
U.S. urges Americans outside the Middle East to reconsider regional travel
The U.S. State Department on Sept. 19 urged Americans outside the Middle East to seriously reconsider travel to or through the region, while telling those already there to stay vigilant amid possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other disruptions. -
Motley Fool says SPDR dividend ETF may cushion recession risks
With recession estimates ranging from 15% to 40%, The Motley Fool says the State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) could help cushion a downturn. Its case rests on a 25-year dividend-growth record and more than 37% of the portfolio in defensive sectors. -
Goldman expects one more Fed hike, then a pause if oil prices retreat
Goldman Sachs expects the Federal Reserve to raise rates once more, at its Oct. 27 meeting, then pause if a sustained oil-price pullback cools inflation. It forecasts Brent at $85 a barrel by December and rate cuts beginning in late 2027.
