The Price Point

As Stuyvesant students prepare to enter the world, understanding the economy becomes an essential skill. In today’s society, knowledge of economics provides us with a foundation for navigating financial issues, understanding the effects of public policy on the market, and making informed decisions about our own personal finances.

ETFs Attract More Money in 2025 Despite Uncertainty

In 2025, Americans have invested a record breaking $437 billion into exchange traded funds (ETFs) such as the Vanguard S&P 500 (VOO). This is a good sign of high demand in spite of recent market volatility under the new administration. For example, the VOO is well on track to surpass its numbers from 2024. This trend reflects a broader shift away from traditional mutual funds due to lower fees and other advantages ETFs provide. In addition, the SEC may implement new policies that would accelerate this transition.

Federal Government Resumes Collection of Student Loans

The federal government has begun collecting defaulted student loans again, marking the end of a five year pause brought about during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Education says that borrowers who do not pay loans on time may face damaged credit scores and decreased wages, as well as reduced social security benefits. The continuation of student loan collection will affect around 43 million Americans—many of which have payments past due—as well as around $1.693 trillion in outstanding loan balance.

Trump Extends EU Tariff Deadline to July 9

Just two days after announcing his plan to implement a 50 percent tariff on the European Union (EU) to go into effect on June 1—and following a pause on reciprocal tariffs in April—President Donald Trump has announced that he will extend the deadline for this 50 percent tariff to July 9. He posted on Truth Social this Sunday about receiving a call from President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, reportedly requesting an extension on the previous June 1 deadline and allowing the U.S. and the EU to reach a good deal and protect one of the world’s most important trade relationships.

Economics Concept of the Issue

Mortgages

Mortgages are a special type of loan used to buy real estate such as houses and apartments; they use property as collateral. Several types of mortgages exist such as fixed rate mortgages—which offer a constant interest rate—and adjustable mortgages, where the interest rate varies over time. However, in every type of mortgage, borrowers pay a portion of the asset’s price upfront, called a down payment—usually between three and 20 percent of the price of the asset. After the down payment is made, the borrower typically pays out the rest of the mortgage over a few decades through monthly installments of both the principal amount and any interest that piles up.