Wealth Management News & Insights
Apple Debuts iPhone 17, Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, Nvidia to Invest $5bn in Rival Intel
Primary Sources
- Apple Debuts iPhone 17: iPhone 17 features the innovative Center Stage front camera, a bigger and brighter new display with ProMotion, and the A19 chip for improved performance. [Apple]
- Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement: Recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year. Job gains have slowed, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remains low. Inflation has moved up and remains somewhat elevated. [FRB]
- Summary of Economic Projections: In conjunction with the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting held on September 16–17, 2025, meeting participants submitted their projections of the most likely outcomes for real gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the unemployment rate, and inflation for each year from 2025 to 2028 and over the longer run. [FRB]
Financial Markets
- What Decides Where Mortgage Rates Go From Here: While the Fed has begun cutting rates again, there are many other factors that affect the cost of home loans. [WSJ]
- StubHub IPO – Stock Jump Then Drops in Trading Debut: StubHub’s IPO saw shares rise initially before closing at $22, below the $23.50 offering price, a middling debut compared to other recent IPOs. [Barron’s]
- General Mills Says Turnaround Is Progressing, Despite Sales Drop: The maker of Cheerios cereal and Pillsbury doughs said fiscal 1Q sales fell to $4.52 billion, in line with Wall Street estimates. [WSJ]
- Oracle’s Expensive AI Makeover Is Worth It: The highly profitable software giant is expected to burn cash for the next three years, but its odds of success are good. [WSJ]
The chart above shows monthly share of TV viewing for different categories, including broadcast, cable, streaming, and other. Streaming services made up 46.4% of TV viewing in August 2025, which is a slight decrease from the prior month.
Retirement Planning
- Trump Wants to Open Up 401(k)s – Legal Threats Stand in the Way: President’s executive order in August won’t eliminate the possibility of lawsuits. [WSJ]
Business Strategy
- With Amex’s Platinum Refresh, an Even More Exclusive Card Emerges: The card, which will cost $895 a year, leans even further into lifestyle and travel benefits that are attractive to younger generations. [NYT]
- Nvidia to Invest $5bn in Rival Intel: Deal will see the two US groups co-develop chips for PCs and data centers. [FT]
- The New AirPods Can Translate Languages in Your Ears: The technology is one of the strongest examples yet of how artificial intelligence can be used in a seamless, practical way to improve people’s lives. [NYT]
- Amazon Aims to Grow Ad Sales Further by Automating Creation: The biggest names in tech are racing to make advertising easier, especially for small businesses and consumer goods companies. [WSJ]
- Solar-Powered Cars and Trucks Are Almost Here: New, power-sipping EVs due next year are efficient enough to gain 10 to 40 miles of daily charge from the sun alone. [WSJ]
Life & Work
- Emmys 2025 Winners: ‘The Studio’ Dominates With 13 Wins, ‘Adolescence’ and ‘The Pitt’ Win Top Honors. [Variety]
- How Beli Ate Yelp: A restaurant-rating app has endeared itself to young diners who no longer trust starred reviews on other platforms. [NYT]
- Chicago Fire, Related Midwest Win City Panel OK For South Loop Soccer Stadium: Chicago Fire FC is a key step closer to building a new soccer stadium at the 78 in the South Loop after city planning officials green-lit a proposal from the club and developer Related Midwest for an $8 billion mixed-use campus anchored by the venue. [Crain’s Chicago]
- NHL Embracing Return to Olympics After 12-year Absence: The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan will mark the first time in 12 years that NHL players will return to the Games, something NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is expecting to have a big effect on the league. [CNBC]
- The Easiest Way to Get to a Marathon Start Line? A Tour: As traveling to marathons becomes more popular, getting into races can be difficult. Tour companies offer runners an easier way — if they can afford it. [NYT]
The chart above highlights Federal Express package volume y/y change which is one datapoint of real time economic activity. Federal Express package volume accelerated in July and August after a flat June.