Today’s Brief
The daily read on the U.S. and global economy — where things stand, what changed, and what we’re watching next. Open anything for the full charts and context.
As of June 15, 2026
watch The economy is holding up, but not without strain: energy and commodity costs are squeezing budgets and household finances are stretched thin, while banks are solid and markets are calm.
What changed today
Status changes first — the headline events — then the biggest moves in the data, judged against each indicator’s own typical day-to-day swing.
No status changes today — a quiet day on the board.
Biggest movers
Energy · Commodities & Materials
Commodity costs are surging.
Food 30.20% 18.60%
Energy · Electricity & the Grid
Electricity prices are well above last year.
Power price 18.83¢/kWh 1.18¢/kWh
Markets · Risk Sentiment
Markets are calm — volatility and credit stress are low.
VIX 19.44 2.78
Consumer · Household Income & Savings
Household cushions are thin — savings or real incomes are stretched.
Saving rate 2.60% 0.60%
Energy · Oil & Fuels
Fuel costs are spiking — acute pressure at the pump.
Gasoline $4.15 $0.16
What we’re watching next
Our published predictions for the most consequential upcoming prints — each graded in public when the number lands.
Retail Electricity · Residentialwe expect 18.97¢/kWh — which would tip Electricity & the Grid to watchFederal Debt · % of GDPwe expect 122.56%, no status changeHousehold Debt Service · % of incomewe expect 11.32%, no status changeOur track record →Get this in your inbox
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Where the pressure is
Everything currently warranting attention, worst first.
On alert — levels that have historically meant real stress
ConsumerConsumer SentimentalertConsumers are deeply pessimistic — sentiment is near record lows.EnergyOil & FuelsalertFuel costs are spiking — acute pressure at the pump.EnergyCommodities & MaterialsalertCommodity costs are surging.Elevated — clearly outside comfortable ranges
EconomyThe Cost of LivingelevatedInflation is still hot — well above the Fed's target.EconomyFiscal HealthelevatedThe U.S. is borrowing heavily — debt and interest costs are climbing.ConsumerHousehold Income & SavingselevatedHousehold cushions are thin — savings or real incomes are stretched.EnergyElectricity & the GridelevatedElectricity prices are well above last year.HousingAffordability & FinancingelevatedHousing affordability is badly stretched.HousingSupply & ConstructionelevatedHousing supply is out of balance — inventory or construction is strained.GlobalTrade & Supply ChainelevatedGlobal trade is under real strain — supply chains or import costs are stressed.GlobalUncertainty & RiskelevatedPolicy uncertainty is high — what governments do next is a major source of risk.On watch — first warnings
ConsumerConsumer Credit StresswatchConsumer credit bears watching — debt loads are creeping up.BankingConcentrations & FundingwatchSome concentration and funding risks are building.BusinessBusiness CreditwatchBusiness credit bears watching — conditions are tightening at the margin.Across the dashboards
Every category’s overall read — jump into any of them.
watchEconomic LenseselevatedThe ConsumerokBanking System HealthokCorporate & Business HealthokMarkets & Financial ConditionselevatedEnergy & CommoditieswatchHousing & Real EstatewatchGlobal Economy