Money

Paying your credit card bill is about to get harder

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2023

Inflation in the United States is posing severe financial challenges for Americans, resulting in a surge in defaults on credit cards and auto loans.

The relentless rise in inflation is taking a toll on Americans, particularly those with lower and middle incomes. Despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to combat inflation, essential expenses such as rent, groceries, and the cost of both new and used cars continue to soar.

Credit agency Equifax reports that credit card delinquencies have surged to 3.8%, with a default rate of 3.6% on auto loans. These figures mark the highest levels witnessed in over ten years.

Many individuals, having exhausted their savings from government stimulus checks issued during the pandemic, are resorting to opening new lines of credit. This trend persists despite the fact that the average interest rate on credit cards has reached an unprecedented 20.6%, according to Bankrate.com.

$1 trillion debt

Since the pre-pandemic year of 2019, the number of open credit card accounts has surged by a staggering 70 million. This surge in borrowing has pushed the total credit card debt in the nation past the historic milestone of $1 trillion.

The Federal Reserve is contemplating raising interest rates to combat inflation, aiming to bring it down from its current level of 3.5% to the target rate of 2%. If these hikes occur, it could lead to even higher interest rates on credit cards, exacerbating borrowers’ financial difficulties.

As the moratorium on student loans, in place for more than three years, comes to an end, individuals already grappling with high rent and grocery costs will face the added burden of student loan payments starting next month.

While the Federal Reserve views these challenges as a rationale for raising interest rates to limit consumer spending, there are apprehensions that consumers may accumulate more debt during the holiday season, further compounding their financial woes.

Retail giants like Macy’s and Kohl’s have reported an uptick in delinquency rates among customers who hold private label store cards, underscoring the financial stress experienced by consumers.

Money

Australia’s inflation report and Nvidia earnings impact explained

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Published

3 days ago

February 26, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Australia’s latest inflation report is creating waves across the market, with questions about interest rates, the strong performance of the Aussie dollar, and the uneven nature of the stock market rally. Investors are watching closely as changes in carry trade risks this month add another layer of complexity.

David Scutt from StoneX discusses what these shifts mean for trading strategies and the broader economic outlook. He provides insight into how underlying factors are shaping investor confidence and market dynamics.

On the tech side, Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are expected to influence AI development and the broader tech sector. Coupled with trends in SaaS and bitcoin price action, these movements are signalling how investor sentiment is evolving in a fast-changing landscape.

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#AustraliaEconomy #InflationReport #AussieDollar #NvidiaEarnings #AIInvesting #StockMarketNews #BitcoinTrends #SaaSInsights

Money

U.S. stocks rally as AMD, Home Depot, and AI software lead gains

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

Published

4 days ago

February 25, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

U.S. tech stocks surged as investors’ fears over AI disruption eased. Advanced Micro Devices jumped 9% after Meta announced a multiyear deal to deploy AMD’s graphics processing units for AI data centres. The move highlights growing corporate confidence in AI infrastructure investments.

DocuSign also rose 3% following Anthropic’s confirmation that Claude Cowork can integrate with DocuSign, Google Drive, and Gmail, signalling stronger adoption of AI tools across industries.

The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF climbed 2% despite remaining over 30% below its 52-week high, showing tech stocks are recovering but still have room to run.

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Money

Stocks tumble amid AI concerns and Trump tariff update

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Published

5 days ago

February 24, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Stocks plunged sharply as concerns over artificial intelligence and trade tensions rattled investors, sending the Dow down more than 800 points. Heavyweights like American Express, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan were key contributors to the drop.

Software companies were hit particularly hard after a report suggested AI could impact economic growth, triggering further losses across tech shares.

Trade-sensitive retailers including American Eagle Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, and Yeti Holdings also faced setbacks as market uncertainty spiked. Bonds, meanwhile, rallied as investors sought safety in a volatile market.

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