ISM Services PMI Eases to 54.9 in September as Prices Index Climbs to 74
The Institute for Supply Management’s Services PMI registered 54.9 in September 2026, down from 55.4 in August, marking 27 consecutive months of expansion in the
From the News Desk
October 7, 2026
The Wall Street Times
BREAKING
Wall Street Times - Breaking News, Business & Finance
Mortgage Rates Top 7% for the First Time Since May 2024 as Applications Fall Again
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 7.12% in the week ending September 18, 2026, its highest level since May 2024, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Total mortgage applications fell 1.5%, and refinance activity dropped to its slowest pace since February 2025 as buyers and homeowners pulled back. Key Takeaways The MBA’s average 30-year fixed rate
WTI Crude Drops Below $100 for the First Time Since September 10 as Saudi Export Recovery and UNGA Diplomacy Converge
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell below $100 per barrel on Monday, September 21, dropping 2.7% to $97.61 as a partial recovery in Saudi crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the prospect of U.S.-Iran diplomatic engagement at this week’s United Nations General Assembly removed a layer of risk premium that had kept oil prices elevated throughout
Consumer Spending Shifts Toward Big-Box and Value Retailers as Back-to-School Season Reveals New Household Priorities
American households increased their total card spending by 4.5% year-over-year in August while actively redirecting where those dollars land, with general merchandise and big-box retailers outperforming traditional retail channels during the 2026 back-to-school season, according to the Bank of America Institute’s September Consumer Checkpoint report. The data, drawn from aggregated and anonymized credit and debit card transactions, paints
Business
Fed September Decision in Focus as Markets Price 60 to 65 Percent Odds of a Rate Hike With CPI Data Due Friday
The Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision arrives on September 16, 2026, with the Federal Open Market Committee also publishing updated economic projections and its
Entertainment
Disney Beats Wall Street Earnings Estimates as Streaming Profits More Than Double Under New CEO
Walt Disney Co. reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.06 for its fiscal third quarter ended June 27, beating the Wall Street consensus estimate of
ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Sports
What is a Golf Handicap and Why Does It Matter?
A golf handicap might look like a small number next to a player’s name, but it plays a much bigger role than most people realize.
From Campus to Courtside: How College Basketball Can Launch Your Pro Career
You’ve got the hustle. The handles. The hunger. But here’s the real question: can college basketball actually take you all the way to the pros?
NFL Players and ACL Injuries: Career-Altering Severity Explained
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the most critical ligaments in the knee, providing stability and support during movement. In the National Football
Why Marathons are the New Dating Apps for Gen Z and Millennials
What keeps Millennials and Gen Zers coming back to marathons, despite the physical and mental demands? For these generations, marathons represent more than a physical
Sports Economics & Climate Risk: Why Investors Must Price Environmental Disruption into Valuations
As climate change intensifies, the sports industry is facing unprecedented challenges that investors must begin to account for in their financial models. The growing risks
Local
New Home Sales Jump 6.4% in August to 684,000 as Builders Lean on Price Cuts and Incentives
Sales of new single-family homes rose 6.4% in August 2026 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 684,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and
Lifestyle
Halloween Spending Forecast Reaches $13.5 Billion as Shoppers Prioritize Value and 47% Turn to AI Tools
Americans plan to spend $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, up from last year’s record $13.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey
Case-Shiller Home Prices Rise 1.9% in July as Real Home Values Fall for a 14th Straight Month
U.S. home prices rose 1.9% year over year in July 2026, up from 1.6% in June, according to the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home
82% of Small Businesses Now Use AI Tools as Adoption Shifts From Experimentation to Revenue Generation
More than four out of five small business employers in the United States have adopted at least one AI tool, with the median firm running
How Microplastics in Food Can Affect Your Health
Microplastics refer to tiny plastic particles, generally less than 5 millimeters in size, that have become ubiquitous in various environments. Nanoplastics are even smaller, sometimes
How Travel Contributes to Personal Growth and Emotional Wellbeing
The argument for travel has been made so often that it usually sounds like a tagline rather than a claim. “Travel changes you.” “Travel broadens
Lifestyle Inflation: The Trap of Modern Consumer Habits
Lifestyle inflation, often referred to as “lifestyle creep,” is a financial phenomenon where an individual’s discretionary spending increases in direct proportion to their rising income.
Burnout Epidemic: Understanding the Dangers of Overwork Culture
Why is overwork culture becoming the norm in modern workplaces? The idea that working longer automatically means working better has been around for decades. In
Rising Gasoline Prices Reshape Consumer Spending Patterns in 2026
High gasoline prices act like a hidden tax, forcing people to spend less on “extra” things like eating out, shopping for clothes, and going on
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