The budget deal Senate leaders reached late Wednesday would add nearly $300 billion in government spending over two years and push the deficit higher, exactly the opposite of what the economic textbooks say lawmakers should be doing, said a Moodys economist.

While the trend of rising defaults on student loans doesnt pose 'systemic financial risks,' it does impact household behavior, analysts say.

As the tax bill chugs through Congress, some companies may try to take advantage of tax deductions this year and add funding to pensions.

Investors submitted bids for $5.54 trillion of government debt at auctions this year, or three times the amount sold.