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GCA Forums News For Saturday December 6 2025
GCA Forums News For Saturday, December 6, 2025LIVE UPDATES
DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE
6,852.34 (value at 12 pm EST)
Change: +19.91 ppp (0.29%)
The market is showing a small upward trend, but investor uncertainty about the overall economy and future growth means any gains may be limited. This could lead to more cautious investment decisions and slower economic expansion.
PRICE OF PRECIOUS METALS
Gold prices have reached a key resistance point.
Silver prices remain within their usual range.
Gold and silver prices remain volatile, indicating ongoing economic uncertainty. This volatility may prompt investors to seek safer assets and signal instability in broader financial markets.
INTEREST RATES
Federal Funds Rate: 3.75% – 4.00%
The federal funds rate was cut by 25 basis points in October.
At the December 9-10 FOMC meeting, there is an 80% chance of another 25-basis-point rate cut.
Powell stated that a rate cut is not a certainty.
Most Federal Reserve members point to the current 3% inflation rate, which is just above their 2% target, as a reason to pause further rate cuts.
INTEREST RATES + MORTGAGE RATES
Home mortgage rates remain high, partly because the Fed has not yet decided whether to cut rates. This uncertainty is keeping many buyers out of the market, making homes less affordable and slowing down real estate activity. Continued high rates reduce home sales, limit construction, and can lead to decreased consumer spending in related sectors.
CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE HOLIDAY SEASON HAS RECORDED CONSUMER SPENDING ABOVE $1 TRILLION
The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales in November and December to top $1 trillion for the first time, reaching between $1.01 and $1.02 trillion. Higher spending can boost retail profits and support job growth, but economic effects depend on whether this growth is driven by higher prices or increased demand.
Key takeaways:
Spending rose by 9.1% from 2023 to November 2023. Black Friday saw a significant jump, with $11.8 billion in online sales.
Online spending on Thanksgiving Day hit a record $6.4 billion, up 5.3% from last year. Although revenues increased, economists suggest the rise may be largely due to higher prices from inflation, so actual sales volumes may not have grown significantly. This raises concerns about true consumer buying power and the health of demand, which could impact future business planning.
Spending with buy-now-pay-later services in November and December is expected to reach $20.2 billion, up 11% from last year.
K-SHAPED ECONOMY REFLECTED IN CONSUMER SPENDING
Consumer spending shows a K-shaped recovery in these ways:
Higher Income Households: Spending increased by 2.7% until October.
Lower-income households: Spending increased by only 0.7%.
Lower-income households spent less on non-essential items and sought discounts, but maintained a moderate level of optimism.
Retailers like Walmart are gaining market share among all income groups, unlike Target and some others.
HOUSING AND REAL ESTATE NEWSTHE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY AWAITS BANK OF JAPAN POLICY
The mortgage and real estate industries are closely watching the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. If the Fed implements a negative interest rate policy, it could bring more money into the sluggish housing market, potentially increasing home sales and related services. Currently, the market is stalled, as first-time buyers wait, current homeowners remain put due to low rates, and homes remain unaffordable, even though prices are lower than in past decades.
Existing homeowners are constrained by lower rates. While mortgage rates remain high, housing is more affordable than it has been in decades.
President Trump has criticized Fed Chair Powell, referring to him as “Too Late Powell” in relation to concerns about the U.S. housing market. The White House states that new policies could result in significant household savings through 2025, potentially increasing discretionary spending and supporting economic growth.
DEVELOPING: LEADERSHIP OF THE FBI UNDER RISKKASH PATEL SCANDALS
FBI Chief Kash Patel is facing scrutiny due to multiple controversies.
Traveling Government Jet:
Patel has been investigated by Democratic Congress members for what he claims is work-related travel on the FBI’s Gulfstream to watch:
His Country western singer girlfriend Alexis Wilkins performs at a wrestling tournament at Pennsylvania State University.
Several trips to Nashville, home to Wilkins.
Las Vegas trips where Patel has a residence.
Texas for social events with his companions.
Details of Security:
MS NOW reports that Patel has, for the first time, assigned FBI SWAT team members to protect his girlfriend. This decision has been regarded as controversial.
Patel has also reportedly instructed agents on at least two occasions to provide transportation home for one of Wilkins’ friends after social events in Nashville. Patel is said to have contacted the detail leader to ensure the order was carried out.
The former FBI agent Christopher O’Leary said: ‘‘It is not only inappropriate to assign FBI SWAT personnel to a security detail to protect his girlfriend, but also to assign them to babysit his girlfriend’s friend, which is at a whole other level and shows absolutely no judgment or integrity on the part of Kash Patel.’’
The FBI jacket affair
A 115-page report from the National Alliance of Retired and Active-Duty FBI Special Agents and Analysts states that after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September, Patel, who was traveling to Utah, declined to leave the plane until he was provided with a medium-sized FBI raid jacket.
When a female agent offered her jacket, Patel again declined to leave because it lacked the appropriate Velcro patches.
SWAT personnel involved in an ongoing investigation provided him with some of their patches.
Internal FBI Report:
During the Patel and Bongino era, the FBI has been described as lacking direction. Current and former personnel characterize Patel as “insecure,” “in over his head,” and lacking the “necessary experience.”
Colleagues have called Bongino “something of a clown.”
The agency is reportedly losing focus on key issues and placing greater emphasis on social media presence over substDuring the Kirk investigation, Patel reportedly went on an “expletive tirade” against Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls in Salt Lake City.n Salt Lake City.
White House Response:
White House staffer Abigail Jackson stated that Patel is dedicated and regarded as a key member of the President’s team, working to uphold integrity within the FBI.
Trump has denied he is considering firing Patel, telling Fox News, “I am very proud of the FBI. Kash…they have done a great job.”
POLITICAL NEWS JD VANCE AFFAIR ALLEGATIONS DEBUNKED
Social media claims that Vice President JD Vance is having an affair with Erika Kirk have been fact-checked and disproven by Snopes and other outlets.
A claim originated from an October 2025 Turning Point USA event, where someone reported receiving a hug from a well-known person and alleged inappropriate behavior.
Major news outlets have been informed about these complaints, but none have reported on them because the claims are not substantiated by facts.
Conservative podcaster Candace Owens said over the weekend that President Emmanuel Macron told the press he had the right to order her assassination and even included “one Israeli” on the list. iFBI Director Kash Patel told Megyn Kelly that the FBI has no information about possible foreign threats to Owens, but they are not ignoring her claim.s no intention of ignoring her claim.
OTHER BREAKING NEWSASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK
After conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested. Since then, Patel has faced numerous questions about potential oversight failures in this highly controversial case.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IMPACT
The Federal Government Shutdown has caused several effects:
Delayed release of key economic data due to the shutdown has disrupted the Federal Reserve’s ability to make informed policy decisions, potentially leading to less effective economic management. Funding for SNAP, the food assistance program, was put on hold, resulting in lower spending among low-income consumers. ing less.
When federal spending is delayed, the private sector loses income. This can lower business revenue, slow hiring, and hinder economic growth, especially in industries that rely heavily on government contracts.
The holiday shopping season is very important, so delays are especially harmful right before the holidays.
CDC VACCINE CONTROVERSY
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) caused a lot of debate when it changed its recommendations for vaccinating all infants against a virus that affects the liver.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Experts have differing opinions about what will happen to the economy soon. Some point to strong consumer spending, with retail sales up 4.3% since September 2024, while others focus on four key concerns: Inflation is now at 3%, whereas the Federal Reserve’s target is 2%.
Job growth is slowing, and although unemployment remains low at 4.3%, it is gradually increasing.
Tariffs: Prices for some consumer goods are rising because of President Trump’s tariffs. Surveys show 60% of people think tariffs are causing more than 10% inflation on these goods.
Consumer Sentiment: Although people are spending a significant amount, most still have a negative outlook on the economy.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration is developing a national security strategy that portrays European allies as weak, with the aim of restoring U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
LOOKING AHEADIMPORTANT DEADLINES
December 9-10: FOMC Meeting (Federal Reserve) – Announcement on the interest rate.
December 15: House Democrats’ deadline for Kash Patel travel record requests.
December 31: Closing date for the holiday shopping season. Final retail sales data to be published.
GCA Forums News is committed to responsible, evidence-based journalism. We correct misinformation and check claims with at least three independent, reputable sources.
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Now, I’ll go over the latest 2026 housing forecast and inventory predictions. After looking at recent projections from real estate economists and organizations, here’s what they expect for the 2026 housing market.
Mortgage Rates
Experts predict that mortgage rates will decrease slightly but remain above 6%. NAR expects rates between 6% and 6.7% in 2025. Fannie Mae anticipates 30-year fixed rates at approximately 6.2% in early 2026, declining to 5.9% by year-end. The Mortgage Bankers Association expects rates to stay near 6.4% throughout 2026.
Most agencies agree that rates will likely decrease, but remain above 6%. These rates will be higher than during the pandemic and will drop more slowly than they have in the past two years.
Home Prices
Overall, home prices are expected to grow modestly, with no major declines, though some regions may be exceptions. NAR predicts a 4% increase in median home values nationwide in 2026. However, some areas may experience lower or even negative growth, depending on local economic factors.
- Zillow forecasts home values will grow by 0.4%.
- Redfin predicts home values will grow by 1%.
- Realtor.com expects home values to grow by 2.2%.
Home prices are expected to fall in 22 of the 100 largest U.S. cities. Most of these cities are in the Southeast, the West, and Southwest Florida, where the housing market is weakest. Other regions may see modest growth or stable prices. Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, said, “Home prices nationwide have been declining nowhere in sight,” explaining sellers withdraw listings rather than cut prices significantly.
Inventory
Inventory is improving and returning to pre-COVID-2020 levels, possibly by the 2026 spring selling season. Realtor.com forecasts an 8.9% increase in existing home inventory and a 3.1% rise in new, single-family homes.
Inventory is now returning to normal levels, unlike the shortage experienced from 2020 to 2024. Sellers have less power than they did during the pandemic, and buyers have more choices.
Home Sales
Forecasts indicate that home sales values are expected to rise, albeit at varying rates.
- NAR expects a 14% national increase in existing home sales for 2026.
- Redfin predicts existing home sales will increase by 3%.
- Zillow expects existing home sales to rise by 4.3%, reaching just under 4.3 million. 2026 is expected to be a reset year rather than a rebound. Economists predict a slow recovery. Home sales are expected to rise gradually, and prices will only normalize if homes become more affordable. Home prices are expected to grow faster in the Midwest, the Northwest, and in areas with strong tech industries, such as San Jose and San Francisco. In contrast, the Southeast (including Florida and Texas) and parts of the Northwest (like Seattle and Portland) may see slower growth or even price declines. lines could occur.
- For buyers, 2024 and 2025 are likely to be easier, with more homes for sale and slightly lower interest rates. However, affordability will still be a challenge.
- For sellers, it’s important to price homes to sell. Listings that sit on the market for too long will require significant price cuts to attract buyers.
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