Investor Index 10.3.25

Government shutdowns usually don’t hurt the economy. This time could be different

As the United States enters a government shutdown under President Trump, the suspension of key economic reporting—especially the Labor Department’s monthly jobs data—has left policymakers, investors, and analysts “flying blind” at a particularly fragile juncture for the U.S. economy. Private-sector ADP data already shows a surprising loss of 32,000 jobs in September, fueling fears that the labor market has cooled significantly. Without fresh inflation, employment, or GDP figures, the Federal Reserve faces increased difficulty timing interest-rate moves, and the broader business climate is beset by uncertainty—especially if the shutdown persists.

Full Article: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/29/business/trump-shutdown-jobs-market-economy

Amid tariff, job and supply concerns, multifamily pros prioritize occupancy

Apartment industry stakeholders are bracing for continued economic uncertainty as new supply recedes but demand softens under pressure from tariffs, weak job growth, and supply-chain strains. While deliveries of multifamily units have declined sharply—projects under construction are down over 20 % year over year, and completions have dropped nearly 30 %—operators are hesitant to raise rents in the short term. Rents have already dipped slightly in 2025, and landlords are focusing more on retaining existing tenants (i.e. “occupancy over pricing”) amid consumer caution and a cooling labor market. The industry expects clearer signals to emerge in the 2026 leasing season, but for now many are prioritizing stability over expansion.

Full Article: https://www.multifamilydive.com/news/apartment-supply-tariffs-interest-rates-multifamily-demand/761482/

High Inflation Persisted In August As Spending Slowed

In August 2025, inflation remained persistently high even as consumer spending showed signs of cooling: core inflation (excluding food and energy) held at about 2.9 %, while headline inflation ran around 2.7 %. Real (inflation-adjusted) spending rose only modestly (0.4 % month over month, down from July’s 0.5 %) even as personal incomes also increased by 0.4 %. The ongoing inflation pressure complicates the Federal Reserve’s calculus on interest rates, as it navigates between controlling price growth and not stifling economic activity.

Full Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/09/26/high-inflation-persisted-in-august-as-spending-slowed/