The Supreme Court seems poised to let President Trump fire without cause the leaders of almost every independent agency, despite federal laws requiring him to provide a reason.

But the justices have indicated that the Federal Reserve Board is a special case, a uniquely powerful institution whose independence may require protection.

In May, for instance, the court let Mr. Trump temporarily remove leaders of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Labor Relations Board. (The case before the court now will determine whether dismissals like those will become permanent.)

“Because the Constitution vests the executive power in the president,” the court said in an unsigned opinion, “he may remove without cause executive officers who exercise that power on his behalf.” But the opinion went out of its way to explain why it would not apply to the Fed, whose status was not before the court at that moment. “The Federal Reserve is a uniquely structured, quasi-private entity that follows in the distinct historical tradition of the First and Second Banks of the United States,” the opinion said.

(NYT - Continue Reading)

Republicans have yet to coalesce around a healthcare strategy just days before an expected vote on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies, triggering concerns from some GOP lawmakers about a voter backlash. The Senate is expected to vote this week on a Democratic-backed measure to extend the enhanced healthcare subsidies for three years. Senate Republican leaders agreed to hold the vote as a condition for ending the government shutdown.

The Democratic proposal isn’t expected to pass, heightening the risk that the subsidies will expire and millions of people will see their healthcare costs rise starting next month. Republicans haven’t yet united around an alternative proposal, as they struggle with how—or whether—to extend the subsidies and address issues that animate conservatives such as healthcare fraud. Some Republican lawmakers are increasingly concerned that healthcare is a political vulnerability for many in the GOP, who campaigned for years on repealing the Affordable Care Act, but haven’t agreed on a healthcare plan of their own.

(WSJ - Continue Reading)

This year has been challenging for homebuyers struggling with affordability headwinds, but sellers haven’t had it easy either, often pulling listings off the market in frustration after their price expectations were not met.

Delistings in October jumped nearly 38% compared with a year earlier, again surpassing inventory growth, according to the November 2025 monthly housing trends report from Realtor.com®. Year to date, delistings were up roughly 45% from the same period in 2024.

Since June, about 6% of listings have been removed from the market by sellers each month, cementing 2025 as the year with the highest national delisting rate since Realtor.com began tracking this metric in 2022. (Realtor – Continue Reading)

Britain’s financial watchdog has unveiled a raft of measures to encourage investing in stocks and shares as part of efforts to help revive the flagging London market. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) set out changes to help increase consumer access to investments and help them take informed risks, which could see a shift away from the “your capital is at risk” blanket warnings on products.

It is proposing new rules for product information on investments, while also drawing a more distinct line between retail and professional investors who may not need to come within the scope of retail regulations. The steps are part of wider efforts to “move the dial on risk” and encourage investors away from just investing in cash, according to the regulator.

(Stroud - Continue Reading)