Updated on May 29.
What NerdWallet's economist is watching in the week ahead
Here’s what NerdWallet’s senior economist Elizabeth Renter will be watching for in economic news and data this week.
Nothing quite illustrates the difficulty in deciphering economic data like a “jobs week.” Next week we’ll be looking at three major sources of labor market data — four if you include weekly unemployment claims — and trying to make sense of it all. What makes this difficult is they all measure different things using different approaches, and they cover different time periods.
The JOLTS survey, released Tuesday, will encompass events occurring in the payroll week including the 12th of April as reported by employers. It’s the least recent release we’ll get next week, but the only one to measure layoffs in a direct way. Despite layoff announcements making headlines for months, they have yet to show up in a considerable way in the official data. You can sometimes spot layoffs before they make it to JOLTS in the weekly unemployment claims data, but this involves some assumptions and hedging as not everyone who files for unemployment was laid off, and those who are laid off don’t (or can’t) always file for unemployment in a speedy manner. Regardless, despite a little bouncing around, initial claims have been fairly steady.
We’ll also get some May data in the form of an ADP report on private industry jobs and the BLS “jobs report.” Though these two are representative of the same month, their reference periods are different, as are their sources. ADP data is from the private industry administrative data the company gathers through its payroll software, whereas the jobs report is survey-based and is weighted to encompass all employment in the U.S. ADP data is often directionally similar to the BLS’s, but limited enough to not be read in isolation.
These data sources (and others) each tell pieces of the labor market story. And that story is a complex one, by nature. Right now, it’s even more puzzling, as the labor market is shifting under changing demographics, broad economic uncertainty in the face of war and shifting policies, and the potential structural changes introduced by AI. Buckle up, it’ll be a busy week.
Upcoming data releases:
- Tues., June 2: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), BLS - Last month’s JOLTS release detailed stronger hiring, a welcome site, but also more layoffs. This release will help suss out whether that March data was a fluke or the beginning of the end of the low-hire, low-fire environment.
- Wed., June 3: Employment Report, ADP - Private job growth was strong in April, and not quite as concentrated. It’s a complex labor market right now, so this May data may provide some clarity on employers’ economic expectations.
- Fri., June 5: Employment Situation (“jobs report”), BLS - After two months of triple-digit job growth in this report, another month of big gains could signal true strength. I wouldn’t bank on it, though, with the ongoing war weighing on the economy.
ICYMI: Insurance survey stats: A recent survey from our team finds that 16% of Americans are using AI to make home insurance decisions. And when it comes to life insurance, cost is the primary obstacle for those without coverage.
What’s going on with tariffs?
Since entering office, President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs affecting virtually all U.S. trade partners. On Feb. 20, the Supreme Court issued its long-awaited ruling on tariffs. The upshot: Trump’s reciprocal tariffs have been struck down, injecting fresh uncertainty for consumers. Get all the details on the ruling here.
We’ll continue tracking the latest tariff news here.
The state of the U.S. economy is showing signs of weakening. The economy is expanding again after a dip in Q1 2025, but Q4 2025 growth was lower than anticipated. The labor market is stagnant and inflation is below its peak but stubborn. The Federal Reserve looks at several economic indicators — along with the stock market — to form a better picture of the economy and make decisions on interest rates.
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On this page
- What NerdWallet's economist is watching in the week ahead
- What’s going on with tariffs?
- Is the U.S. in a recession?
- Is the U.S. economy growing?
- What is the U.S. unemployment rate?
- How fast are wages growing?
- Is inflation going down?
- What’s happening with gas prices?
- How much is the U.S. dollar worth now?
- What is the current U.S. trade deficit?
- How much does the U.S. import and export?
- Rent inflation
- When will interest rates go down?
- Consumer confidence in the economy
- How’s the stock market doing?
- Latest mortgage interest rates
Is the U.S. in a recession?
The United States is not currently in a recession, but the impacts of new tariffs and a looming trade war have unsettled financial markets and raised fears of an economic downturn. Even President Donald Trump has said a recession is possible. For ongoing updates on recession news, see: Are we in a recession?
Is the U.S. economy growing?
Q1 2026 GDP: +1.6%
The U.S. economy has shown steady growth since it dropped to unprecedented levels during the second quarter of 2020 due to the pandemic — and then rebounded almost as quickly. A year later, in the second quarter of 2021, the rate of annual growth hit a high not seen since the 1950s.
But in the first quarter of 2025, growth declined for the first time in nearly three years, primarily due to an increase in imports — a result of businesses stocking up on goods before tariffs began. The economy rebounded strongly in the second and third quarters, before slowing in the final quarter of 2025 and rebounding slightly in the first quarter of 2026.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the market value — in current dollars — of all goods and services produced within the United States in a given period. The data that shows GDP adjusted for inflation is called Real GDP. All GDP changes are expressed on an annualized basis and reports are released quarterly by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Why it matters: GDP is a barometer for the health of the country. When it’s growing, that’s a good sign: consumers are spending, businesses are producing and jobs are being created. But when the GDP shrinks, or contracts, it signals that the economy may be slowing. If it contracts for two quarters, that can be considered a recession.
» MORE: GDP Report
What is the U.S. unemployment rate?
April unemployment rate: 4.3%
The U.S. unemployment rate is the share of unemployed people as a percentage of the overall labor force. Unemployed people are those who are actively seeking work. The labor force doesn’t include the entire population; it’s just the number of people who are employed plus those who are unemployed but looking for jobs.
The unemployment rate has topped 4% since May 2024.
Why it matters: Unemployment shows how the labor market is doing. When it’s low, people are finding work and feeling confident about job-hopping. When the rate is elevated, it shows the economy could be struggling, with fewer positions available for jobseekers.
How fast are wages growing?
March wage growth rate: 3.9%
Wage growth is moderating from what it was at this time in 2024 and is much lower than its peak in 2022. Still, the most recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta shows that annual growth is pacing much faster than it did in 2020.
Why it matters: Wage growth shows how workers are doing. If wages are rising, it means the job market is strong and employers are competing for workers. But when inflation rises faster than wages, then raises won’t stretch as far and consumers lose purchasing power.
Below is the three-month moving average of median hourly wages over the last decade.
Is inflation going down?
Inflation measures the rate of price increases, on an annual basis. The Federal Reserve is targeting a 2% inflation rate.
Why it matters: The Federal Reserve targets a 2% inflation rate. Inflation reports like the consumer price index (CPI) and personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index show how fast prices are rising. When inflation rates spike and wages don’t increase as strongly, it means it could be harder for households to stay afloat.
Consumer price index (CPI)
April CPI index: 3.8%
April core CPI index: 2.8%
The current inflation rate typically reflects the consumer price index (CPI), released monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI measures changes in prices that consumers pay for goods and services including food, gas and rent. The core measure of the consumer price index excludes two volatile factors: food and energy.
Personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index
April PCE inflation rate: 3.8%
April core PCE rate: 3.3%
The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation is the core personal consumption expenditure (core PCE) index, which is released monthly by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The PCE follows the goods and services consumers buy and the price they pay for them. It also tracks changes in spending habits as prices fluctuate.
» MORE: What is the PCE?
What’s happening with gas prices?
Commodity oil prices are spiking after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran escalated into a broader war in early March. As a result, U.S. drivers are seeing fast-rising gas prices. That price squeeze could soon intensify as refineries transition to the more expensive summer gasoline blend.
Why it matters: High gas prices mean consumers have less money available for other spending, which can slow the economy. Higher fuel prices also increase costs for businesses that rely on shipping, which can pass higher costs to consumers and fuel inflation.
» MORE: Gas prices in the U.S.
Here’s a snapshot of average U.S. gas prices right now.
How much is the U.S. dollar worth now?
The dollar index measures how the dollar compares to other currencies. The U.S. dollar is usually considered a safe haven, especially during times of market volatility and economic uncertainty. But in 2025, the value of the dollar is falling as investors sell off U.S. assets, largely due to uncertainty tied to Trump’s protectionist policies and broad sweeping tariffs.
Why it matters: The strength of the U.S. dollar shows its global demand. A strong dollar makes imported goods and services cheaper for U.S. consumers and businesses. It also eases inflationary pressure in the U.S. But a strong dollar could reduce demand for imports from U.S. businesses, which could slow growth.
What is the current U.S. trade deficit?
U.S. trade deficit in March 2026: $60.3 billion — up 4.4% from February 2026.
The U.S. has run a trade deficit for decades, but it has generally decreased since tariffs went into effect.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
» MORE: What is the U.S. trade deficit?
How much does the U.S. import and export?
Imports are goods that one country purchases from another country, while exports are goods that one country sells to another country. The latest U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data shows:
Exports in March 2026: $320.9 billion — up 2.0% from February 2026.
Imports in March 2026: $381.2 billion — up 2.3% from February 2026.
Rent inflation
Rent costs are a significant factor driving inflation. That’s because rent is included within the shelter price index and shelter comprises the biggest segment of the CPI. The rent portion of the CPI has outpaced overall inflation for decades.
However, there’s a lag in how rent data is reflected in the CPI, which means rental shifts — up or down — won’t immediately be reflected in the report. The lag is due to the cycle of lease renewals. Companies that track rental prices, like the housing website Zillow, show that rent increases have slowed down for nearly a year, but that slowdown has yet to show up in the CPI report.
Why it matters: When rent rises faster than wage growth, it increases living costs, which means households have less money available for other expenses. High prices also shrink the affordable options available in the rental market.
» MORE: Rental market trends in the U.S.
When will interest rates go down?
Federal funds rate: 3.50 to 3.75%
The federal funds rate, also known as the Fed rate, is the interest rate that U.S. banks pay each other to borrow or loan money overnight.
The fed rate is set by the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC), which is the monetary policymaking arm of the nation’s central bank known as the Federal Reserve. At the FOMC’s eight scheduled meetings each year, it takes action on the federal funds rate. That means it will hike, hold or lower rates, depending on economic conditions.
After a year of paused interest rates, the Fed made rate cuts at its September, November and December 2024 meetings. The FOMC held rates steady at the majority of its 2025 meetings before making its first cut at its September meeting. A second rate cut followed at its October and December meetings. In 2026, there have been no rate changes.
Why it matters: The federal funds rate affects interest rates on consumer lending products like credit cards and mortgages. When the rate rises, borrowing becomes more expensive. That can lead to tighter lending standards, which means consumers and businesses tend to borrow less.
» MORE: What is the federal funds rate?
Consumer confidence in the economy
Consumer confidence — or sentiment — is an index that reflects people’s perceptions about the economy in the short-term and the outlook for the future. There are two main consumer sentiment indexes: the University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment and The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index.
Why it matters: Consumer sentiment shows how people feel about the economy and economists consider it a useful tool in predicting economic changes. How people feel about the economy can shape their behavior: If consumers are feeling optimistic, they’re more likely to spend money. But if their feelings are negative, they may pull back spending, which can slow economic growth.
The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment
The final reading for May from the University of Michigan, released on May 22, shows:
- The Index of Consumer Sentiment registered at 44.8, down from 49.8 for April.
- Current Economic Conditions registered at 45.8, down from 52.5 for April.
- The Index of Consumer Expectations registered at 44.1, down from 48.1 for April.
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index
Conference Board data for May, released on May 26, shows:
- The Consumer Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell 0.7 point for May to 93.1, from 93.8 in April.
- The Present Situation Index fell by 3.2 points to 121.2.
- The Expectations Index rose by 1.0 point to 74.4.
How’s the stock market doing?
The health of the stock market is represented by major stock market indexes like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 or the NASDAQ 100. These indexes include broad sections of the stock market, but aren’t entirely exhaustive. That means the performance of these indexes represents the fluctuations in the entire market. So when the stock market goes up that means stock market indexes have gained value and vice versa.
Why it matters: The stock market reflects investor confidence in the economy. When stock prices rise, it means investors are feeling optimistic. When prices fall, it signals investors are uncertain or concerned about the economy. These stock fluctuations affect investments, retirement accounts, consumer confidence and business decisions.
» MORE: S&P 500 Index (SPX)
Data may be delayed and is for informational purposes only.
Latest mortgage interest rates
Mortgage rates change daily according to what’s happening in the economy.
NerdWallet’s daily mortgage rates below are calculated as an average of the annual percentage rate (APR) with the lowest points from a selection of major national mortgage lenders. The APR is based on the interest rate and indicates all of the costs of getting a loan including mortgage origination fees and discount points.
Why it matters: Mortgage rates affect housing affordability. When rates go up, so do monthly payments for buyers, which could make it harder to afford homes. For current homeowners, high rates may discourage them from selling, which can tighten the housing market and drive up home prices.
» MORE: Current mortgage interest rates
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images News via Getty Images)
