Artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Models are improving, computing costs are easing and companies are beginning to report tangible efficiency gains.
Despite the Federal Reserve (Fed) cutting interest rates and the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling from its high of 8% in 2023 to just over 6%, the U.S. housing market continues to face challenges. Sellers are facing tepid demand and seeing potential buyers back out. Affordability, despite recent improvements, remains far below pre-pandemic levels. Residential investment per household has not improved, and structural factors mean supply constraints and price pressures could continue even if the Fed lowers rates further.
With the Middle East conflict now entering its second month, high energy prices have produced knock-on effects across global financial markets. The US and European breakeven curves surged as markets repriced inflation expectations and the likelihood of central-bank rate cuts.