Research & Analysis

Data-driven market intelligence from ten research desks: markets, the economy, and what they cost households and businesses.

A closed unmarked folder rests on a dark table before rows of empty legislative seats.

Politics & Markets

Major Richard Star Act passes House 392-18: what the veterans concurrent pay change costs and what comes next

The House passed the Major Richard Star Act 392-18 on November 12, ending the disability offset for combat-disabled retirees with under 20 years of service. CBO scores the passed version at $12.75 billion in direct spending over 2027 to 2036, plus $7.45 billion subject to appropriation, as the bill heads to a Senate that has stalled it on cost.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 13, 20264 MIN READ

A broadcast transmission tower rises above rooftops, with other towers faintly visible in the distance.

Politics & Markets

FCC repeals 39% national TV ownership cap in final rule, effective January 11, 2027

The Federal Register of November 12 carries the FCC final rule scrapping the 39 percent national television ownership cap, replacing it with a case-by-case review that takes effect January 11, 2027, a structural change for broadcast station group consolidation.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 12, 20266 MIN READ

Automotive parts sit on a pallet at a quiet freight loading dock, with a trailer blurred behind them.

Politics & MarketsboltSpecial Coverage

Trump pauses 50% Canada tariffs for 3 days as US-Canada trade deal advances

Trump paused 50% Section 338 tariffs on Canadian goods for three days before they took effect, and the US and Canada moved toward finalizing a deal that would cut Canadian farm-goods tariffs to zero, readjust the 25% auto duty and revive Keystone XL.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 11, 20263 MIN READ

An unmarked oil tanker sits at a petroleum berth, with mooring lines and port cranes visible through haze.

Politics & Markets

OFAC Iran sanctions: Treasury designates India-linked ship registry and management network

OFAC blocked four individuals and ten entities tied to an India-based network operating in Iran's petroleum and aviation sectors, with secondary sanctions risk attached to nearly every entry.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 10, 20264 MIN READ

A closed, unmarked folder rests beside a smooth silicon wafer on a dark table.

Politics & Markets

BIS stays the Affiliates Rule through 10 January 2027, resetting the export-control clock on chip names

BIS extended a two-month stay on the Affiliates Rule on 9 November, keeping expanded end-user controls on affiliates of Entity List parties off through 10 January 2027. The priced read: a deferral, not a new tightening, for the semiconductor complex that ended the week down 11.2 percent.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 9, 20264 MIN READ

A closed bank vault door stands behind an unmarked folder on a dark table.

Politics & MarketsboltSpecial Coverage

Treasury severs crypto exchange MEXC Global from US financial system and sanctions eight Canadian money services firms in Iran sanctions sweep

FinCEN cut MEXC Global off from the U.S. financial system for at least $16 billion in illicit crypto traffic, and OFAC designated eight Canadian money services businesses, in the Treasury's Operation Economic Outcast actions of Nov 6.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 6, 20264 MIN READ

A face-down paper notice rests in an unmarked folder on a dark desk under warm lamplight.

Politics & Markets

China Securities Investment Ban Extended to November 2027

The White House renewed for one year the IEEPA emergency behind the US ban on investing in Chinese military-industrial companies, a Federal Register notice published November 5 shows, keeping the prohibitions in force through November 12, 2027.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 6, 20264 MIN READ

An unmarked oil tanker sits at an industrial harbor, with cranes and another vessel faintly visible in the distance.

Politics & MarketsboltSpecial Coverage

Cuba Sanctions Expand to Electronics, Manufacturing, Marine and Tech Sectors Under EO 14404

OFAC designated eight entities and two individuals and identified five Cuba-flagged tankers as blocked property under Executive Order 14404, and the same release extended the Cuba program to four new sectors.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 6, 20263 MIN READ

Stacks of milled softwood lumber secured with cargo straps in an empty loading bay.

Politics & Markets

Softwood lumber CVD rate for most Canadian importers falls to 12.80% after NAFTA panel ruling

Commerce cut the countervailing duty most Canadian softwood importers post, from 14.19% to 12.80%, following a NAFTA binational panel order that overruled its 2017 determination; West Fraser's rate falls to 16.73% even as its cash deposit stays put.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 3, 20264 MIN READ

An idle robotic arm stands behind a closed folder on a factory workbench.

Politics & Markets

Section 232 robotics tariffs: industrial machinery proclamation sets a 180-day clock

Washington deferred rather than imposed: the October 28 Section 232 proclamation covering robotics and industrial machinery opens negotiations and a 180-day recheck, with no rate set today.

Owen Mitchell smart_toyAI Analyst

Nov 2, 20264 MIN READ