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GCA Forums News-Weekend Edition-From December 16 through 28 2025
Current SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA) Market Info
- SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF trades in the US market.
- The current price is $487.03 USD, down $0.12 (0.00%) from the previous close.
- Last opened at $486.87. Current intraday volume is 2,711,695.
- The highest intraday price is $487.57, and the lowest is $485.75.
- Last trade occurred on December 26 at 19:15:00 CST.
Shifting from market data to broader financial news, here is a recap from GCA Mortgage Forums covering national breaking news for the week of Dec 16 to Dec 28, 2025.LIVE market + rate snapshot (latest available as of Sunday, Dec 28, 2025; U.S. markets last closed Friday, Dec 26)Stocks (Dec 26 close)
- Dow Jones: 48,711 (fractionally down on the day; weekly gain noted).
- S&P 500: 6,929.94 (holiday-thin trading; near record).
- Nasdaq Composite: 23,5939
Rates (LIVE)
- Fed funds target range: 3.50%–3.75% (Dec 10 FOMC decision. Continues to frame markets this period)
- 10-year Treasury yield: ~4.14%
- Freddie Mac 30Y fixed mortgage rate: 6.18% (week of Dec 24)
- Mortgage News Daily 30Y fixed mortgage rate: 6.20% (Dec 26)
Precious metals (LIVE)
- Silver: record levels; cited ~$79.39/oz on Dec 28 (almost $80)
- Silver (Dec 26 Reuters): ~$77.30/oz
1) Turning to the main events of this time: The biggest stories from Dec 16–28 focus on changes in housing, mortgages, and markets. Economy and inflation: A job market where companies are not hiring or firing much, and tariffs are still in place.
- Dec 16 (Jobs): November’s job report shows an increase in payrolls of 64,000. The unemployment rate sits at 4.6% (metrics released in this job report were affected by the prior government shutdown disruption).
- The recent drop in inflation may give consumers some short-term relief. However, Reuters reports that higher costs from tariffs are still driving up prices, making it difficult for inflation to fall further. This puts pressure on family budgets and could slow down the economy, affecting areas like housing and mortgages.
- Dec 24 (Jobless claims): Initial claims were 214,000 (low layoffs), but rising continued claims signal stagnant hiring.
Why GCA Mortgage Forums readers care: When hiring slows and prices remain high, mortgage rates typically remain unchanged unless inflation declines further. This can prevent homes from becoming more affordable, which affects people looking to buy and the housing market as a whole.
2) Federal Reserve: December’s Cut Set the Tone for Rate-cut Bets into 2026
For your window (starting Dec 16), markets were still reacting to the Dec 10 Fed decision, which kept rates at 3. By late December, people in the market were trying to guess when the Fed might lower rates next, as shown by CME’s Fed Watch tool. Hopes for lower rates can alter the cost of borrowing money, which in turn affects how much people and businesses spend and invest. consumer spending across the economy.
Mortgage connection: Mortgage rates are closely tied to bond rates, especially the 10-year Treasury, which was between 4% and 5% during this time. Changes in the bond market can raise or lower mortgage costs, which affects the affordability of homes and the number of people who want to buy them.
3) Housing & mortgage market: sales stabilized, affordability still the wall
- Existing-home sales (Nov, released Dec 19): up 0.5% to 4.13M SAAR; median price $409,200; inventory about 1.43M units or 4.2 months’ supply.
NAR
- Mortgage applications: Down about 5% as the regular seasonal holiday slowdown begins.
- MBA News link notes “apps continue to drop under 5%.”
- Mortgage Rates: Rates remain consistent with those of recent years, with 30-year loans currently above 6%.
- Elevated rates can reduce buyer affordability. Higher rates can make it harder for buyers to afford homes, slow down refinancing, and limit new home sales, which in turn affect the entire housing market. comments of the originators.
People still want to buy homes, but high payments and less affordable prices are holding many buyers back. The refinancing market reacts quickly to even small changes in interest rates, illustrating how these changes directly impact mortgages and individuals’ financial decisions.
4) In equity markets, thin holiday trading was notable, with AI/Tech leading and the S&P 500 reaching near-record levels.
The S&P 500 closed at record highs, including a new high during the day on December 24, thanks to gains in AI and tech stocks and lower interest rates. Higher stock prices can make people feel more confident and willing to spend, but this extra wealth may not lead to more home buying if homes are still too expensive or rates are high.-holiday session): Throughout the day, the indexes barely moved, but the weekly gains are intact. (AP News)
From the GCA perspective, rising stock prices can boost consumer confidence.
However, mortgage affordability depends more on housing inventory and interest rates than on the level of the stock market.
Therefore, stock market wealth may not be enough to overcome the barriers to buying a home.
5) Silver Surges To Almost 80 Dollars
Silver is a notable asset and will headline as follows:
- Silver was reported at approximately $77.30/oz on December 26.
- On December 28, silver was quoted at $79.39/oz, nearing $80.
- This significant price increase can benefit some investors, but it also suggests that there may be rising prices for goods, which could lead to higher manufacturing costs and impact the broader economy.
AP flagged Silver’s major price surge in its late-week market wrap.
Beyond financial markets, significant political and legal headlines emerged from December 16 to 28.“Acquittal” of NY AG Letitia James & Former FBI Director James Comey – What Credible Reporting Shows
I did not find credible reporting of any “acquittal” of these two.
What was reported by the major outlets was as follows:
- Both charges were dismissed without prejudice by a federal judge (date: November 24, 2025).
- It is reported that a grand jury declined to re-indict. (Date: Key point: Dismissals/declined indictments are not acquittals.)
- Acquittals are “not guilty” verdicts after trial..
Escalation Of Funding Fights With Enforcement On Sanctuary City Immigration
Developments relevant to your timeframe include:
- Dec 23: A federal judge dismissed the Department of Justice lawsuit regarding New York’s immigration law.
- The administration claimed to have obstructed New York’s immigration law.
- Dec 24: A federal judge blocks the administration’s attempt to remove a specific Homeland Security grant, which is conditional funding related to the partnership for domestic immigration enforcement (AP report).
- Dec 22: The administration raised its “self-deport” stipend to $3,000, which the administration defends on the grounds of costs and aims at enforcement. Dec 28:
- The Washington Post analyzed voting shifts to community-based ICE arrests, discussing controversy over targeted ICE deportations.
- Watch for imminent developments after Dec 28.
- Looking ahead, noteworthy economic indicators are pending:
- Pending Home Sales data (Nov 2025) will be released on Monday, December 29, 2025 (NAR).
- Case-Shiller Home Price Index: The next index will be released on December 30, 2025 (this is a series with a two-month lag).
- Any renewed movement in the 10 Year Yield (still the heart of mortgage pricing).
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3 Replies
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I have been hearing President Trump is issuing $2.000 checks for every taxpayer for 2026. At first I thought it was clickbait on YouTube and Facebook like other news such a Trump was going to abolish property taxes and abolish the IRS
However, story keeps on resurfacing over and over
The $2 000 checks for every taxpayer have any merit? And if so, when is this going to take place and what are the parameters Single filers vs joint filets, and is there any maximum income cap? How about the elderly on social security or fixed income? Is this money from the government for U.S. citizens ONLY or can legal green card holders paying taxes be eligible.
What is this money for? Is is profit sharing from money discovery from DOGE or is it profit from Trump Tariffs.
Thank you in advance 🇺🇸 🇺🇲 🌎 🇦🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇲 🌎
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No federal agency has approved a $2,000 payment for every taxpayer in 2026. Most of these claims come from misleading sources that misrepresent Trump’s talk of “tariff dividends.”
Current Legislative and Policy Status
- The most recent stimulus checks, referred to as “economic impact payments,” were distributed during the 2020-2021 pandemic.
- All payments have been made, and the last day to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit was April 15, 2025.
- Congress has not approved any new $2,000 stimulus payment, and the IRS has not announced any checks for 2026.
- While Trump has suggested a $2,000 “tariff dividend,” it is merely a slogan with no accompanying laws, rules, or deadlines.
Origins of Recurring $2,000 Payment Rumors
- No federal or state law supports these payments, but online rumors keep spreading.
- Some stories claim that Social Security recipients will get checks, ignoring the legal steps needed.
- Others act as if Trump’s tariff-dividend idea is already law.
- Tax experts say that even the best-case tariff revenue would not be enough to pay $2,000 to every taxpayer or reduce the federal deficit.
Potential Eligibility Criteria (If Legislation Is Enacted)
Without enabling legislation, no official eligibility criteria have been established.
- There is no official start date, application process, or deposit schedule in place.
There are no instructions for single or joint filers.
- income thresholds,
- the treatment of retirees, people with disabilities, or others on fixed incomes
- The inclusion of lawful permanent residents with valid Social Security numbers.
Any claim that gives specific dates, dollar amounts, or income limits for 2026 is not supported by current law or policy.
- Trump has suggested eliminating property taxes, but these are primarily state and local taxes. No federal laws are being considered that would eliminate property taxes nationwide.
- Trump has suggested that Americans might one day no longer have to pay income taxes, with government revenue instead coming from high tariffs.
- This would change the tax system, but no laws have been enacted to implement it.
- Experts warn that the plan is uncertain and may lead to higher prices.
- The idea relies on future tariff revenue, not cryptocurrency profits or any current surplus funds, and estimates indicate that there is not enough money to pay $2,000 to everyone.
Consumer Protection and Fraud Prevention:
If you encounter a website, text, or video claiming, “$2,000 payment is confirmed, apply here,” or requesting money or personal details, it is almost always a scam. Consumer and business experts warn that this is a common fraud trick. Any real information about these payments will be supported by past laws and posted on official government websites, such as irs.gov or treasury.gov. If you do not see this information on those sites, it is not an official federal benefit. If a $2,000 payment program ever becomes real, it will go through Congress and come with clear rules, just like past stimulus checks. Until that happens, treat any “$2,000 for every taxpayer” claim for 2026 as rumor or clickbait.
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So far, Congress has not received any official proposal for $2,000 stimulus checks, and no law has been passed to authorize them. Here are the latest updates and what could happen if this initiative gains momentum.
Current Status
President Trump has stated that he supports $2,000 payments, which would be funded by tariffs, but no bill has been introduced yet. In December 2025, economic advisor Kevin Hassett stated that a formal plan might be announced in 2026, but no details have been provided so far. At the same time, the Supreme Court is reviewing the Trump tariffs, and its decision could impact how these payments are funded.
The payments might be paid for by tariffs on some foreign products, according to several economists, including those at the Tax Foundation. The Tax Foundation says the new tariffs generate less revenue than their supporters claim. The estimated cost of the payments is between $279.8 billion and $606.8 billion, which exceeds the highest amount the tariffs are expected to generate.
Based on past stimulus payments and current plans, income limits would likely begin to phase out at $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples who file jointly. The goal is to give these payments to low- and middle-income Americans.
Who can receive the payments typically depends on how they file their taxes, and some individuals may need to use the IRS Non-Filer Tool.
Most people with green cards who pay income taxes would likely qualify if they meet the income requirements, just as in earlier stimulus programs.
Timeline
If lawmakers give the green light by early 2026, payments could start rolling out by mid- to late-2026. Still, with no formal proposal yet, there is no set timeline.
Considerations
Older adults on Social Security would likely qualify if they meet the income requirements, as has been the case with most previous stimulus payments.
Payments can only be issued if Congress enacts legislation and the law is signed. Legal challenges over tariffs and questions about funding remain unresolved. Payments cannot be made until the law takes effect.
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