Money in a Minute for the Week Ending Aug. 7, 2026
Every weekend, I recap “news you can use” from the week — a handful of quotes from major (and often expensive) financial news sources — so you can stay up to date on the news that affects your money without spending a dime and in less than a minute.
Here’s an overview of what happened this week.
U.S. economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July (Aug. 7, CNBC):
Nonfarm payrolls fell by a seasonally adjusted 23,000 for the month, compared to a downwardly revised 20,000 for June. The Dow Jones consensus forecast had been looking for a gain of 83,000.
At the same time, the unemployment slipped to 4.1% as the labor force participation rate fell further to 61.4%, its lowest in more than five years.
Treasuries Rally as Soft Jobs Data Trims Fed Rate-Hike Bets (Aug. 7, Bloomberg):
The yield on two-year US Treasuries, which are sensitive to near-term moves in Fed monetary policy, fell eight basis points on Friday to 4.15% as traders cut bets on interest-rate hikes in the coming months. The 10-year rate was down six basis points at 4.62%.
Layoffs fall to the lowest level since the U.S. put men on the moon. Here’s what that says about the economy. (Aug. 6, MarketWatch):
So-called initial jobless claims, filed by people who lose jobs, totaled less than 200,000 for the third week in a row — a feat last accomplished in 1969.
Businesses aren’t hiring lots of people, but they are extremely reluctant to shrink their workforces with sales rising and the economy still expanding.
Private companies added just 44,000 workers in July, below expectations, ADP reports (Aug. 5, CNBC):
Private companies added 44,000 jobs in July, a slowdown from the 95,000 the prior month and below market expectations, ADP reported Wednesday.
Pay gains held steady at 4.4% annually for those staying in their jobs. However, job switchers saw a 7% increase, the largest since August 2025.
Iran Is Staking Everything on Controlling the Strait of Hormuz (Aug. 4, Wall Street Journal):
By asserting authority over a critical waterway for global crude-oil flows, Tehran is betting that its ability to inflict pain on the American economy is its best leverage to avoid future military action from the U.S. and Israel. With gasoline prices and inflation elevated, Tehran believes Trump will ultimately accept its terms ahead of fast-approaching midterm elections that could determine the future of his presidency.
US Trade Deficit Narrows to $73.3 Billion on Drop in Imports (Aug. 4, Bloomberg):
The trade data wrap up a quarter in which net exports continued to weigh on economic growth. Trade has been volatile month to month amid fluctuating tariff policy, disruptions from war in the Middle East and a rush to invest in artificial intelligence.
‘Last chance’: Bessent says Hormuz deal is in sight after Trump’s warning on Iran talks (Aug. 4, CNBC):
“We are in talks with the Iranians,” Bessent told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Tuesday. “There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the Strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict.”
American manufacturers grow at fastest clip in 4 years due to AI boom — but all is not well (Aug. 3, MarketWatch):
A closely followed ISM gauge of manufacturers rose to 55.6% in July from 53.3% in the prior month. Any number above 50% indicates business is growing.
The problem is in getting enough critical supplies, such as metals, fertilizer and computer chips — and getting them on time. A lack of supplies has pushed prices higher and added to U.S. inflationary pressures.
