In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, James Cahill, and Alex Hebner unpack the latest jobs report, inflation trends, and the Fed’s rate outlook. They share their expert opinions and insight into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscape.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Jobs Report Analysis: August’s employment numbers fell drastically short of expectations, with only 1,000 net new jobs added. This sparked discussions on the Fed’s delayed rate cuts and the implications for the mortgage industry.
• Unemployment Trends: The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3%. Jeff McCarty shares insights into the differences between the Establishment and Household Surveys.
• Rate Cut Scenarios: The team explored four potential economic scenarios for Q4, ranging from soft landings to stagflation, and debated the likelihood of one to four rate cuts by year-end.
• Inflation Metrics: Upcoming CPI and PPI reports were highlighted as pivotal for Fed decisions. The team discussed how tariffs and consumer pressure could influence inflation.
• Consumer Sentiment: Despite strong economic indicators, consumer sentiment remains near crisis-era lows, prompting questions about data accuracy and public perception.

Tune in to gain valuable insights to help you stay ahead and maximize your profitability in the ever-evolving mortgage landscape.

Optimal Insights Team:

• Jim Glennon, VP of Hedging and Trading Client Services
• Jeff McCarty, VP of Hedging and Trading Product
• James Cahill, MSR Account Manager
• Alex Hebner, Hedge Account Manager

Optimal Blue Production Team:

• Executive Producer: Sara Holtz
• Producers: Matt Gilhooly & Hailey Røise

Commentary included in the podcast shall not be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice.

Mentioned in this episode:

Optimal Blue Summit 2026 | February 23-25 | Scottsdale, Arizona

In case you missed it – Optimal Blue has announced the dates for its 2026 Summit! Join us February 23 – 25 at Talking Stick Resort and Conference Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a client-exclusive event packed with strategic insight and innovation. Attendees will gain early access to Optimal Blue’s latest generative AI and automation tools, dive into expert-led sessions on pricing, compliance and more, and experience hands-on demos of new capabilities. Plus, it’s a chance to connect with capital markets pros, integration partners, and mortgage insiders—all while gaining actionable strategies to maximize profitability and sharpen your competitive edge. The Optimal Blue Summit: where proven mortgage expertise meets modern innovation to shape what's next. Early bird registration is now open at Summit.OptimalBlue.com – space is limited, so register today! News release: https://www2.optimalblue.com/optimal-blue-to-host-its-2026-summit-february-23-25-in-scottsdale Registration: Summit.OptimalBlue.com

Summit - OI

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