Our Scans · (FS.6.06) Personal Finance · Weekly Summary

• [New] On the policy front, bipartisan U.S. housing initiatives aim to tackle chronic supply shortages, while potential Federal Reserve and government-backed entity actions could reduce mortgage rates from current highs. Hennessy Funds
• [New] Despite the stronger-than-expected Tokyo inflation data, traders marginally favour no move from the BOJ in December, with a full 25 basis point hike not priced in until April when annual wage announcements will be made. investing.com
• [New] A convergence of cooling inflation, lower rates, and wage growth opportunities will continue to drive consumer confidence and sustain robust spending in 2025. Mintel Store
• [New] Companies in home improvement retail like Home Depot, Inc. and Lowe's Companies, Inc. could experience a slowdown in sales of big-ticket items as consumers prioritize mortgage payments over discretionary home renovation projects. FinancialContent
• [New] Companies like Wells Fargo & Company and JPMorgan Chase & Co., with significant mortgage lending operations, will see reduced refinancing activity as existing homeowners are locked into lower rates. FinancialContent
• [New] A number of the UK's biggest lenders have cut mortgage rates this week in a move which will benefit borrowers signing up to fixed-rate deals. The Money Pages
• [New] Beyond physicians and nurses, the U.S. faces a projected shortage of more than 3.2 million lower-wage healthcare workers such as medical assistants, home health aides and nursing assistants within the next five years. Barchart.com
• [New] Between political battles over the Fed, a consumer base that refuses to slow down, and inflation that is not easing as quickly as hoped, there is more risk of mortgage rates heading higher than lower in the near term. City Creek Mortgage
• [New] 87% of mass affluent individuals across the United States, Japan, Brazil, and Mexico feel confident they will cover essential retirement expenses, but half cannot picture what retirement looks like and how they will achieve it. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] According to recent research from the Investment Association and Opinium, with just 1 in 5 (24%) UK adults confident that the state pension will be enough to live on in retirement, it is more important than ever that people are encouraged to save into their own pensions. The Investment Association
• [New] Japan's largest labour federation, Rengo, will demand at least a 5% pay hike in 2026's wage talks, matching last year's target that produced average gains of 5.25%. Stock Market Update
• [New] For millions of American citizens, the 2025 minimum wage reform brings hope and stability. Healthcare Education Consultants Indiana
• [New] Oil prices - often called black gold - dropped to their lowest levels of 2025 following news of a ceasefire in the Middle East, easing inflation fears and giving mortgage rates room to improve. Acra Lending
• [New] Due to estimations that Social Security will run out of money by 2034, it's possible the retirement age could increase again under the Trump administration. Yahoo News
• [New] Multi-employer CDC schemes have the potential to boost retirement savings by sharing risks between savers. GOV.UK
• [New] Persistent competition in mortgage lending and Lloyds' reliance on UK economic health could offset current growth projections if conditions change unexpectedly. Webull
• [New] The healthcare sector in 2026 will confront the accelerated and mass retirement of the Baby Boomer generation. Syncx
• [New] UK pension providers have a great opportunity to drive economic growth and give savers the returns they need for retirement. GOV.UK
• [New] Mortgage rates have been largely trending downwards since the (Bank of England) base rate began to stabilise and fall, but stubbornly high inflation continues to delay the pace of cuts that many had hoped for by now. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Ministers said they will also look to close loopholes in legislation to extend employment protections enjoyed by offshore oil and gas workers working beyond UK territorial seas, including the national minimum wage, to the clean energy sector. North Wales Chronicle
• [New] McKinsey finds that 30% of all hours worked in the US economy could be automated by 2030, with lower-wage workers 14 times more likely to need a career change. Yahoo Finance

Last updated: 03 November 2025