Financial Insights & Market Analysis | Ask Linc Blog

Daily financial market insights & occasional product updates

Today in Markets & Money: Retirement Math in a 4% World

🏷️ Inflation Expectations The CPI sits at 323.36 (core 329.79). Long-term inflation forecasts remain steady: * 1 year: 2.81% * 5 years: 2.33% * 10 years: 2.29% * 30 years: 2.41% Translation: no runaway inflation lurking. Retirement planning math is way easier when you can assume costs rise at ~2–2.5%. 💸 What this means for your wallet: Your future grocery bill will still sting, but it won’t bankrupt you. Predictability makes long-term planning less of a guessing game. 💵 Treasury Yie

1 min readSep 18, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: Mortgages Still Squeezing 🏡

🏷️ Inflation & Rates CPI ticked up to 323.36 (core 329.79). Yearly inflation is now 2.9%, the fastest pace since January. The Fed Funds Rate sits at 4.33%, with Treasuries at: * 1-year: 3.66% * 5-year: 3.63% * 10-year: 4.06% All eyes are on the Fed’s next meeting: cut or hold? 💸 What this means for your wallet: Rates aren’t dropping yet. If you’re carrying credit card or HELOC debt, brace yourself — the relief you’re waiting for may not come soon. 🏡 Mortgages & Housing 30-year fixed

1 min readSep 16, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: Midweek Check for Investors 📈

📈 Stocks Holding Strong The S&P 500 is at 648.83, up 0.25% today. Over the past month, it’s climbed 2%, and compared to last year, it’s up 18%. That’s a strong rally by any standard. Investors clearly think the Fed has inflation under control — or at least under surveillance. 💸 What this means for your wallet: If you’ve been riding stocks higher, congrats — your 401(k) is flexing. But after an 18% run in a year, don’t assume this lasts forever. 💵 Bonds: Quietly Interesting Again Treasury

1 min readSep 9, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “Savers Are Quietly Winning” 💵

🏷️ Inflation & Rates CPI is at 322.13 (core 328.66), inflation is running about 2.7%, and the Fed Funds Rate is parked at 4.33%. Translation: prices are still sticky, but cash isn’t eroding like it did in 2022. 💸 What this means for your wallet: Leaving cash in a 0.01% savings account? That’s financial malpractice. With inflation stable, this is the moment to let your cash actually work for you. 💵 Treasury Yields (Where Savers Should Look) * 1-year: 3.76% * 5-year: 3.65% * 10-year: 4.

1 min readSep 8, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “What Today’s Inflation Outlook Means for Your Retirement Math”

🏷️ Inflation Outlook The CPI is at 322.13 (core 328.66), with annual inflation running around 2.7%. The market thinks it’ll cool closer to 2% over the long haul: * 1 year: 2.59% * 5 years: 2.13% * 10 years: 2.11% * 30 years: 2.30% Translation: no runaway inflation monsters hiding under the bed. For retirement math, that’s good news — predictable costs make planning easier. 💸 What this means for your wallet: If you’re building a retirement plan, assume “moderately annoying” inflation, n

2 min readSep 4, 2025

Now Live: Connect Your Brokerage Accounts with SnapTrade

We’re excited to announce a big new upgrade to Ask Linc: you can now securely connect your brokerage and trading accounts through SnapTrade. Until now, Ask Linc has relied on Plaid to bring in your day-to-day financial accounts—bank balances, credit cards, savings, and in some cases, even investment accounts. But Plaid was never designed for active investing, which meant connections were often limited, slow, or missing key data. That’s where SnapTrade comes in. SnapTrade is built specifically

1 min readSep 3, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “Mortgages Still Brutal” 🏡

🏷️ Inflation & Rates CPI is at 322.13 (core 328.66), PCE at 126.78. Inflation is steady around 2.7% annually. The Fed Funds Rate? Still 4.33%, which means borrowing costs aren’t coming down anytime soon. 🏡 Mortgages & Housing The 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.56%, a painful spread above the 10-year Treasury at 4.22%. Translation: lenders are keeping mortgages pricey, and housing affordability is still in the gutter. Demand is cooling, but not enough to bring prices back to Earth. 💸 What th

1 min readSep 2, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “Winners, Losers & Weirdness”

🏆 Winners of the Week: Savers Treasury yields are steady around 4% (1-year at 3.83%, 10-year at 4.24%). That’s boring but beautiful if you’ve been sitting on cash. For once, savers aren’t the punchline. 😬 Losers of the Week: House Hunters 30-year fixed mortgage? 6.56%. That’s a full 2 points above the 10-year Treasury. Translation: lenders are squeezing, affordability is in the toilet, and “starter home” now means “400 sq ft condo with avocado green tiles.” 📈 Stocks: Just Vibin’ The S&

1 min readAug 29, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “Stable Doesn’t Mean Cheap”

Ask Linc–style Question of the Day: 👉 “If I’m saving for a house in the next 2–3 years, should I park that money in Treasuries or stay liquid in cash?” 🏷️ Inflation & Rates CPI is sitting at 322.13 (core 328.66). Translation: prices aren’t spiraling, but they’re not falling either. Inflation expectations are basically pinned around 2% for the next 30 years. The Fed Funds Rate is still 4.33% — their way of saying, “We’re not budging.” 💸 What this means for your wallet: Stuff costs what it

2 min readAug 28, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “Stable but Still Expensive”

If you’ve ever stared at market numbers and thought, “Cool, but what do I actually do?” — you’re basically describing why an AI investing app exists. (Hi 👋, that’s what we’re building with Ask Linc.) Here’s today’s quick rundown: 🏷️ Inflation & Rates CPI is 322.13 (core 328.66). Prices are still too high, but at least they’re not spiking anymore. Inflation expectations? Right around 2% long-term — aka boring stability. 💸 What this means for your wallet: Groceries aren’t getting cheaper, b

1 min readAug 26, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “The Calm Before… More Calm?”

🏷️ Inflation & Rates CPI sits at 322.13 (core at 328.66). Translation: prices are still high, but they’re not climbing like a rocket anymore. Inflation expectations? Basically flat — markets think we’ll cruise near 2% for years. The Fed Funds Rate is holding at 4.33%, which is like the thermostat they refuse to touch. 💸 What this means for your wallet: Groceries won’t suddenly get cheaper, but your money isn’t losing value like it did in 2022. This is the “annoying but stable” era. 💵 Trea

2 min readAug 25, 2025

Today in Markets & Money: “Still Expensive, Still Boring”

🏷️ Inflation & Rates CPI is at 322.13 (Core 328.66). Translation: stuff still costs more than it should, but at least it’s not sprinting away like in 2022. The Fed Funds Rate is stuck at 4.33%, and long-term inflation outlook is basically: meh, we’ll chill around 2%. 💸 What this means for your wallet: Your grocery bill won’t magically shrink, but you can stop panic-Googling “how to raise chickens in a condo.” 💵 Treasury Yields * 1-year: 3.90% * 5-year: 3.81% * 10-year: 4.29% The 10-y

2 min readAug 22, 2025

Markets Watch & Wait — August 15, 2025

Economic Indicators The Consumer Price Index (CPI) sits at 322.13, with the Core CPI (excluding food & energy) slightly higher at 328.66. That keeps annual inflation at 2.7%, steady compared to recent months. Rates remain in focus: * Federal Funds Rate → 4.33% * 10-Year Treasury → 4.30% * 30-Year Fixed Mortgage → 6.58% Inflation expectations look muted, with forecasts at 2.59% (1 year), 2.13% (5 years), 2.11% (10 years), and 2.30% (30 years). 👉 What this means for you: Prices aren’t sur

2 min readAug 21, 2025

The Fed’s Stuck in Rate-Limbo: Cut or Nah?

Economic Indicators The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is holding at 322.13, with core CPI (ex-food and energy) a bit higher at 328.66. Inflation for the past 12 months sits steady at 2.7%. Rates aren’t budging much either: * Fed Funds Rate → 4.33% * Treasury Yields → 1-year: 3.93%, 5-year: 3.86%, 10-year: 4.34% * 30-year mortgage → 6.58% 👉 What this means for your wallet: borrowing costs are still elevated, especially on mortgages, and long-term savers will notice CDs and bonds hanging arou

1 min readAug 20, 2025

Nothing to See Here (Unless You Care About Mortgages)

Economic Indicators CPI sits at 322.13 with Core CPI at 328.66 (as of July 2025). Annual inflation is holding at 2.7%. Inflation expectations are fairly tame: 2.59% (1 year), 2.13% (5 years), 2.11% (10 years), 2.30% (30 years). The Federal Funds Rate remains at 4.33%, while Treasury yields are 3.93% (1Y), 3.85% (5Y), and 4.33% (10Y). 👉 What this means for you: Steady inflation and rates = no big surprises (yet). Borrowing costs remain high, so if you’re hoping for relief on loans or CDs yiel

1 min readAug 19, 2025

Mortgage rates dip, Fed cuts on deck?

Economic Indicators Inflation is still doing its steady-but-not-too-scary thing: * CPI: 322.13 * Core CPI: 328.66 * Annual inflation rate: 2.7% (for the 12 months ending July) Looking ahead, inflation expectations are holding at ~2–2.5% depending on the timeframe. Treasury yields are: 3.91% (1Y), 3.82% (5Y), 4.29% (10Y). The Fed Funds Rate? Still at 4.33%. 👉 What this means for you: Borrowing isn’t cheap yet, but the stability suggests no big shocks… unless the Fed decides otherwise next

1 min readAug 18, 2025

Markets Today: Calm, for Now

Steady inflation, steady rates, steady markets. The Fed’s holding, mortgage rates dipped a hair, and Wall Street is basically taking a coffee break until the next big headline. Inflation & Rates CPI: 322.132 Core CPI: 328.656 Annual inflation: 2.7% (July 2025) Inflation expectations: * 1 year: 2.59% * 5 years: 2.13% * 10 years: 2.11% * 30 years: 2.30% Treasury yields: 1-year at 3.86%, 5-year at 3.77%, 10-year at 4.24% Fed Funds Rate: 4.33% What this means for you: Borrowing is still p

1 min readAug 15, 2025

Rate Cut Whispers and a Softer Dollar

The markets are steady, but the U.S. dollar is slipping on growing bets that the Fed could cut rates soon. Here’s where we stand. Inflation: Holding steady CPI is 322.13 with Core CPI at 328.66. Annual inflation (July 2025) is still 2.7%. Inflation expectations: * 1 year: 2.59% * 5 years: 2.13% * 10 years: 2.11% * 30 years: 2.30% What this means for you: Inflation isn’t flaring up — which is exactly why talk of a September rate cut is heating up. Rates & Yields: Still high, for now

1 min readAug 14, 2025

Markets Today: New Highs, Steady Inflation, and Mortgage Rates That Won’t Budge

The markets are feeling good right now, but there’s still one very expensive elephant in the room: mortgages. Here’s where things stand. Inflation: Stable and (for now) predictable CPI (July 2025) is 322.132, with Core CPI at 328.656. Annual inflation is holding at 2.7%. Inflation expectations are calm: * 1 year: 2.59% * 5 years: 2.13% * 10 years: 2.11% * 30 years: 2.30% What this means for you: The inflation outlook is steady, which is why talk of Fed rate cuts is picking up. But the F

1 min readAug 13, 2025

Markets Today: Calm Before the CPI Storm

Markets were mostly steady today, but tomorrow’s Consumer Price Index release could shake things up. Here’s where things stand before the big reveal. Inflation: Waiting on the next data point CPI is sitting at 322.132, with Core CPI (stripping out food and energy) at 328.656. Annual inflation remains at 2.7% as of June 2025. Inflation expectations are steady: * 1 year: 2.79% * 5 years: 2.37% (market: 2.44%) * 10 years: 2.33% (market: 2.38%) * 30 years: 2.44% What this means for you: We

1 min readAug 12, 2025