Solutions Economic and Market Watch

Hosted by CFC

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Episodes

216

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Listen to the latest economic insights from CFC experts John Suter, Sam Kem, and Antony Davies.

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60 recent

August 31, 2026Episode 2136 min

Shutting Off the Warning Lights — August 31, 2026

Join Antony Davies , director of economic research at CFC, as he explores why the Treasury is buying long-term bonds, what that means for interest rates and borrowers, and why efforts to suppress market signals may create larger problems down the road. Read the transcript of this episode. Download last week's intelligence brief, " $40 Trillion in Federal Debt ." Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit the archives for more intelligence briefs. Visit us, download this week's intelligence brief and dashboard and explore economic insights on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions . Sources: Tentative-Buyback-Schedule.pdf Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity, Quoted on an Investment Basis (DGS10) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity, Quoted on an Investment Basis (DGS30) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Bessent vows bigger buybacks after bond yields erased the US Treasury's relief rally | Euronews

August 24, 2026Episode 2127 min

What Your Netflix Subscription Means for Your Retirement — August 24, 2026

Join Sam Kem , senior economic research analyst at CFC, as she looks at the predictability of future expenses and financial planning in the subscription economy. Read the transcript of this episode. Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit us, download the intelligence brief and dashboard and explore economic insights on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions . Mentioned in the show: Homeowners Associations Are Foreclosing on More Residents—The Wall Street Journal Recurring Costs Are Reshaping Ownership—CFC Solutions Cooperative News

August 17, 2026Episode 2116 min

How a Weak Yen Raises US Interest Rates — August 17, 2026

Join Antony Davies , director of economic research at CFC, as he untangles the chain reaction that moved the U.S. Treasury to intervene in Japanese currency markets for the first time in almost 30 years. Read the transcript of this episode. Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit us, download the intelligence brief and dashboard and explore economic insights on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions . Sources: Japanese Yen to U.S. Dollar Spot Exchange Rate (DEXJPUS) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity, Quoted on an Investment Basis (DGS10) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Interest Rates: Long-Term Government Bond Yields: 10-Year: Main (Including Benchmark) for Japan (IRLTLT01JPM156N) | FRED | St. Louis Fed U.S. Imports of Goods by Customs Basis from Japan (IMPJP) | FRED | St. Louis Fed

August 10, 2026Episode 2106 min

The Jobless Boom — August 10, 2026

Join John Suter , vice president of economic research at CFC, as he unpacks the "jobless boom," explaining why a growing economy is creating so few jobs and why college graduates are feeling the squeeze most. Read the transcript of this episode. Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit us, download the intelligence brief and dashboard and explore economic insights on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

August 3, 2026Episode 2097 min

What Higher Oil Prices Do to Your Wallet — August 3, 2026

Join John Suter , vice president of economic research at CFC, as he explores how rising oil prices affect everything from gasoline and groceries to inflation and household budgets. Read the transcript of this episode. Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit us, download the intelligence brief and dashboard and explore economic insights on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

July 27, 2026Episode 2086 min

When Getting to Work Costs $1,000 a Month — July 27, 2026

Join Sam Kem , senior economic research analyst at CFC, as she examines why car ownership—not commuting—is straining more household budgets, and what rising auto debt reveals. Read the transcript of this episode. Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit us, download the intelligence brief and dashboard and explore more economic insights on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

July 20, 2026Episode 2075 min

Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud — July 20, 2026

Join Antony Davies , director of economic research at CFC, as he explains why Harry Truman wanted a one-handed economist. Read the transcript of this episode. Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit us, download the intelligence brief and dashboard and explore other Solutions media on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions . Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average (CPIAUCSL) | FRED | St. Louis Fed US Regular All Formulations Gas Price (GASREGW) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Real Earnings Summary - 2026 M06 Results US Real Average Hourly Earnings (Monthly) - United States -… Unemployment Rate (UNRATE) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Labor Force Participation Rate (CIVPART) | FRED | St. Louis Fed New Study: “Fight for $15” Minimum Wage Hikes Reduced Employment Rates, Hurt Entry-Level Workers | Employment Policies Institute Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Personal Saving Rate (PSAVERT) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Employment Situation Summary Table A. Household data, seasonally adjusted - 2026 M06 Results A-8a. Employed persons and employment-population ratios by age and sex, seasonally adjusted US stocks rise after data shows slowing inflation, even as IBM plunges | Associated Press National | nvdaily.com

July 13, 2026Episode 2068 min

How Did Co-ops Perform in 2025? — July 13, 2026

Join CFC's Sam Kem , senior economic research analyst, and Carolina Park , senior manager of Financial Tools & Analysis, as they use the 2025 KRTA results to discover how distribution cooperatives dealt with last year's challenges. Read the transcript of this episode. See past episodes about the KRTA. For questions and requests about the 2024 KRTA report, please contact your RVP or reach out to financialtools@nrucfc.coop . Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Follow the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Visit us, download the dashboard and explore other Solutions media on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

July 6, 2026Episode 2055 min

Even Good News Is Bad News for Interest Rates — July 6, 2026

Join Antony Davies , director of economic research at CFC, as he looks at why futures markets have started pricing in rate hikes instead of cuts. Read the transcript of this episode. Sources: Real Gross Domestic Product (GDPC1) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index (PCEPI) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Personal Saving Rate (PSAVERT) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Real Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCEC96) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Disposable Personal Income (DSPI) | FRED | St. Louis Fed FedWatch - CME Group Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit (DFEDTARU) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity, Quoted on an Investment Basis (DGS10) | FRED | St. Louis Fed Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Subscribe to the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Subscribe to our newsletter. Visit us, download the dashboard and explore other Solutions media on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

June 29, 2026Episode 2045 min

Do Experiences Yield Higher Returns Than Things? — June 29, 2026

Join CFC expert John Suter , vice president of economic research, as he digs into the economics behind $7,000 NBA finals tickets and the value of experiences. Read the transcript of this episode. Sources: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/most-expensive-sporting-event-ever-185732307.html Contact the Economic & Market Watch team at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop . Subscribe to the Economic & Market Watch podcast. Subscribe to our newsletter. Visit us, download the dashboard and explore other Solutions media on our website, nrucfc.coop/Solutions .