Strategy Meets Finance Financial and Economic News: August 21, 2025
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Major moves and market momentum in this week’s top financial stories, including:
Jobless Claims Signal Cracks in the Labor Market
Fed Holds Back on Rate Cuts at Jackson Hole
Blackstone Bets on Power Infrastructure
Walmart Walks the Tariff Tightrope
Housing Market Gives Buyers New Leverage
Corporate Hiring Plans Cool
FinWeekly has the latest updates on market-shaping headlines and business strategy insights: Jobless claims rose to 235,000 last week, the biggest jump in three months, while continuing claims hit their highest level since 2021. With hiring slowing and tariffs adding pressure, the labor market is starting to show real cracks — and consumers are beginning to feel it.
At Jackson Hole, Fed officials struck a cautious tone. Kansas City’s Jeffrey Schmid questioned whether current rates are even restrictive enough, signaling that cuts aren’t coming until the Fed sees “very definitive data.” For households and businesses, that means borrowing costs are likely to stay higher for longer.
Private equity powerhouse Blackstone agreed to buy Shermco, an electrical services firm, for $1.6 billion. It’s a bet on the infrastructure behind AI and data centers — a reminder that the real money in tech often lies in the backbone, not the buzz.
Walmart delivered strong sales growth but warned of rising costs as tariffs weigh on margins. By absorbing price hikes, it’s keeping shoppers across income levels loyal — a case study in how scale and cost discipline drive share gains in a squeezed economy.
Housing offered a rare surprise: existing-home sales rose 2% in July as prices cooled and mortgage rates dipped. Buyers are regaining leverage, with more listings, price cuts, and longer days on market opening the door to negotiations.
And across corporate America, hiring plans are cooling fast. One in five employers expects to slow headcount growth, with AI and cost discipline reshaping how companies think about labor. For workers, that means fewer openings and longer job searches — and for leaders, a push to do more with less.
Tune in for smart commentary, sharp context, and the financial insight you need to lead in a changing world — only on FinWeekly.
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