Daily Rundown

October 19, 2026

Chart of the Day

Number of the Day

-5.1

The New York Fed’s business leaders’ six-month activity expectations index in October, the first negative reading this year and the lowest since September 2025

Quote of the Day

“Loan growth moderated during the quarter. The mix of loan growth continues to migrate towards high-quality credits, and while this creates a headwind for asset spreads, net interest income, and margin, the economic tradeoff is evident in improving credit results...”

Regions CFO Anil Chadha

Friday’s Highlights

Industrial production (September) rose by 0.7 percent, led by utilities and factory output.

Import prices (September) rose by 1.1 percent on the month and 8.1 percent year-over-year.

Core import prices (September) rose by 0.8 percent on the month and 6.0 percent year-over-year.

The New York Fed business activity index (October) fell to a seven-month low -20.7 from a prior -8.7.

Quick Commentary

The rebounding dollar has provided little inflation relief thus far, as core import prices are now rising at their fastest annual pace in more than four years. The import price report also marked the third straight day in which a major inflation release came in ahead of consensus expectations and reflected an acceleration in the growth rate from the recent trend. This may not be enough to force a rate hike at next week’s FOMC meeting, but it at least sets up a likely move at the year’s final meeting in December.

Today’s Highlight

Home builder sentiment

Daily Trivia

What country’s benchmark equity index fell by 77 percent in one day in 2008, as its three largest banks all collapsed?

(Friday’s Question: What popular consumer product is named after Genoa, Italy due to the city’s importance as an international textile trading hub? Answer: Jeans)