Headline: Freight Softens, Bitcoin Slips, Rates Edge Up
A swirl of crosscurrents is shaping markets and consumer sentiment, with logistics pressure, crypto volatility, and rising borrowing costs all in focus. Investors are navigating slower freight activity, choppy risk assets, and shifting sector leadership as the holiday season approaches.
Freight shipments fell 7.8% year over year, yet total spend stayed broadly flat as elevated shipping rates offset volume declines. Analysts are watching for a possible 10% drop in November, while potential tariff effects on consumer goods could weigh on retail margins and prices. These trends pose questions for supply chains and payments flows heading into peak shopping weeks.
In digital assets, Bitcoin slipped back below the $100,000 mark as ETFs saw roughly $2.6 billion in outflows. Traders are watching a wide trading range with upside near $115,000 and downside risk near $85,000, underscoring ongoing volatility. On the long-term savings front, contribution caps are set to rise in 2026—401(k) limits to $24,500 and IRA limits to $7,500—giving savers more room to allocate, which could influence asset flows across retirement platforms.
Travel and housing remain mixed. Airlines are working to restore normal operations following a shutdown, but an outstanding FAA order continues to constrain capacity, with about 1,000 flights removed and uncertainty lingering for Thanksgiving travel. Mortgage rates ticked up to 6.24%, intensifying affordability challenges and keeping attention on bond market dynamics. Equities saw a rotation toward value as tech pulled back; 1-800-Flowers fell 6.9% on weak revenue despite a cost-saving roadmap, while ATUS, PENN, SABR, and BARK also traded lower. Altice remains down 20.5% year to date and about 39.4% below its 52-week high.
Key Points: – Freight shipments down 7.8% YoY, but higher shipping rates kept overall spend steady – Potential 10% decline in November and tariff pressure on consumer goods in focus – Bitcoin fell below $100K as ETFs recorded about $2.6B in outflows; volatility persists – 401(k) limit set to rise to $24,500 and IRA to $7,500 in 2026 – Airlines aim to normalize operations, but FAA constraints remain; ~1,000 flights cut ahead of Thanksgiving – Mortgage rates up to 6.24%; investors rotate from tech to value with several names retreating
