In this video, Ira Epstein covers a range of financial topics in his morning flash update for September 17, 2025. He discusses the significant increase in mortgage refinancing rates despite a drop in housing starts and building permits.

The persistent weakness of the U.S. dollar, ahead of the U.S. interest rate cut announcement later today, has helped the EUR/USD bulls quickly push the pair to the 1.1878 resistance level with a daily gain of nearly 1%.

Investors will be closely focused on whether Powell furthers his pivot toward cutting rates that he began in his speech at Jackson Hole last month.

The S&P 500 offers strong long-term returns, but high valuations and heavy concentration mean it may not fit every investor’s objectives.