Economy 2026

The End of Autonomy? Secretary Bessent’s “Accountability” Doctrine Triggers Market Alarm Over Fed Independence

Scott Bessent

The End of Autonomy? Secretary Bessent’s “Accountability” Doctrine Triggers Market Alarm Over Fed Independence

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a week that has sent tremors through the global financial architecture, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared before the Senate Banking Committee on February 5, 2026, delivering testimony that many economists believe signals a fundamental shift in the relationship between the White House and the Federal Reserve.

By MarketMinute
The K-Shaped Divide: Stock Market Riches Fuel Affluent Spending While Inflation Squeezes the Main Street Wallet

Consumer Spending

The K-Shaped Divide: Stock Market Riches Fuel Affluent Spending While Inflation Squeezes the Main Street Wallet

As of February 6, 2026, the American consumer landscape has fractured into two distinct realities, creating a "K-shaped" economic environment that is redefining the retail and service sectors. While a record-breaking stock market and robust asset growth have propelled affluent households to new heights of discretionary spending, lower-income

By MarketMinute