economy September 8, 2025

Economic & Market Watch

Intelligence Brief & Dashboard

Our weekly download features both a big-picture economic dashboard and an in-depth intelligence brief covering a single facet of the economy.

In this week's brief: Savings vs. Consumption.

Download the Intelligence Brief & Dashboard

In the News

Economy

  • The U.S. economy added 22,000 jobs in August, well below the market forecast of 75,000. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3%.
  • U.S. health insurers are raising insurance premiums, with a report by consulting firm Mercer suggesting that the cost of companies’ health insurance plans for employees are expected to rise 6.5% on average in 2026.

Markets

  • West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures edged up slightly to $62/barrel after a three-day drop as the oil-producing group OPEC+ announced a smaller-than-expected production increase. 
  • Stocks gained at the start of a busy week ahead of several inflation data releases that may drive the Federal Reserve’s rate decision later this month.

Current Events

  • U.S. imports of biodiesel and renewable diesel declined sharply in the first half of 2025 following the loss of tax credits and lower domestic consumption of these fuels.
  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the U.S. and the European Union must work together to “collapse” the Russian economy.

Meet the Team

CFC's economic research team—John Suter, Sam Kem and Antony Davies—share their expert, yet easily digestible, perspective on what you need to know.

Have feedback about the podcast? A topic you'd like the EMW team to cover? Get in touch at economicresearch@nrucfc.coop.

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Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Trading Economics


For more economic data and analysis, download the latest edition of Economic & Market Watch Quarterly.

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