Money

Interest rate holding pattern leading to consumer stress: study

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2024

LegalShield’s latest Consumer Stress Legal Index for February sheds light on the ongoing financial strain experienced by consumers in the United States, as evidenced by a sustained increase in stress levels.

Based on an average of 150,000 monthly requests for legal assistance from American consumers, the February CSLI registered a score of 64, marking an 8.8% year-over-year rise.

This upward trend aligns with the drop in The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index and echoes the decline in Consumer Sentiment reported by the University of Michigan, underscoring a prevailing sense of unease among consumers.

The CSLI, serving as a leading indicator of the Consumer Confidence Index with a correlation level of -0.85, highlights a notable uptick in financial stress indicators.

Demographic groups

Specifically, inquiries regarding billing disputes and loan modifications have seen significant spikes, particularly among Millennials and Gen Xers.

These demographic groups have witnessed a staggering 353% increase in loan modification inquiries compared to the previous year, reflecting the impact of lingering elevated interest rates.

In response to the rising financial stress, LegalShield’s provider attorneys have observed consumer actions such as loan modifications and adjustments to existing loans, driven by the need to navigate the challenges posed by high interest rates.

Additionally, the housing sector has felt the effects of elevated interest rates, with declines observed in new home construction and home purchase inquiries, suggesting a cautious approach among consumers awaiting potential rate changes.

LegalShield’s comprehensive dataset underscores the urgency of addressing the underlying factors contributing to consumer stress.

Money

Australian Dollar surges: What $0.70 means for markets

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

Published

21 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than 5 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, now trading around $0.70. This rapid rise has sparked mixed reactions for importers and exporters as Australia’s materials sector shows signs of bouncing back, despite concerns over rising interest rates.

Dale Gilham from Wealth Within breaks down the factors behind the AUD surge, the implications for commodities, and what it means for big miners like BHP. From profits to strategy, we explore how the market is reacting to this currency shift.

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#AustralianDollar #AUD #Forex #Investing #Commodities #BHP #Mining #Markets

Money

S&P 500 rises as financial stocks lead and tech slips

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

Published

22 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in financial stocks. Citigroup and JPMorgan led the rally, showing investors are rotating money into the sector as tech stocks faltered.

Meanwhile, software shares struggled, with ServiceNow, Autodesk, and Palo Alto Networks all seeing notable declines. Concerns around AI disruption continue to affect the software and financial sectors alike.

Market watchers are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation reports later this week, looking for signals that could shape the next moves in the market.

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Money

Australia’s GST debate heats up amid tax reform push

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Published

2 days ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Australia is facing a fierce debate over tax reform, with fresh calls to broaden the Goods and Services Tax as the government searches for more stable revenue streams. With an ageing population putting pressure on health, pensions and long-term spending, economists argue the current reliance on personal income tax may not be sustainable.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down the real impact of expanding the GST, including how it could affect lower-income households, whether taxing unrealised gains would change investor behaviour, and what compensation mechanisms could soften the blow on essential goods. The political risks are high, but so are the fiscal stakes.

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