In the week ahead, the U.S. Commerce Department releases fresh figures on new-home sales, durable goods and household spending. The eurozone issues figures on activity at factories and service providers, and China releases data on industrial profits.

Household saving typically rises after a recession as people pay down debt and rebuild balance sheets, then declines as they grew more optimistic—and spendthrift. But in the current expansion, it just keeps rising.170

The net worth of American households grew in second quarter, but at a slower rate than the prior quarter.

Two Federal Reserve officials explained why they opposed this week’s interest-rate cut, and a third defended the move, as central bankers remained split amid an uncertain outlook for the economy.

Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said cutting rates now may boost the risk of financial instability, which could make the next downturn more severe when it comes.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference this week carried a subtle message for President Trump: If you’re worried about an economic slowdown, find a way to cool down the trade war.62

The central bank will study whether to increase its holdings of Treasury securities carefully before approving any action at its Oct. 29-30 meeting.

August was the strongest month for sales of U.S. homes in nearly a year and a half, sparking fresh hope that a protracted slump in the housing market may finally be starting to reverse.4

By refusing to elaborate on what the Fed will do next, Chairman Jerome Powell leaves less room for misinterpretation and forces the market to think for itself.47

The global economy is set to grow at the slowest pace since the financial crisis, with business investment and trade hampered by an escalating dispute between the U.S. and China, the OECD said.78