Welcome to Markets Desk, here's what's moving the needle right now.
Spider-Man Brand New Day has crossed into record territory, surpassing Star Wars The Force Awakens to become the highest-grossing domestic film in box office history. Sony confirmed the milestone, a remarkable achievement that underscores just how resilient theatrical demand remains when the right franchise shows up on screen.
Turning to fixed income, the Schwab Municipal Bond ETF saw significant outflows this week, with over fourteen million units destroyed — an eight and a half percent decline in shares outstanding over just seven days. That kind of redemption pressure in munis is worth watching, as it can signal shifting sentiment around tax-advantaged debt at a time when rate expectations remain unsettled.
And on that note, the Federal Reserve's rate decision is front of mind for consumers carrying variable-rate debt. If the Fed moves on Wednesday, credit card balances and new loan originations get more expensive almost immediately. That transmission from policy to household cost is direct and fast, and for millions of Americans already stretched thin, even a modest hike carries real weight.
That's the tape. Markets Desk, signing off the floor.
