Dec 12 Consumers aren't having a very merry holiday season, AP-NORC poll finds By Josh Boak, Amelia Thomson-Deveaux, Associated Press Roughly half of Americans say it’s harder than usual to afford the things they want to give as holiday gifts, and similar numbers are delaying big purchases or cutting back on nonessential purchases more than they would normally. Continue reading
Dec 11 Watch 7:43 Why private credit is creating major concerns among economists By Paul Solman, Ryan Connelly Holmes Investors and economists are warning about a piece of the financial system that could pose a risk that is potentially similar in ways to the housing crash that preceded the financial crisis in 2008. It’s part of what's been called… Continue watching
Dec 11 Watch 5:57 A new U.S. tariff could double the price of Italian pasta By Deema Zein, Maea Lenei Buhre, Sam Weber, Jenna Bloom Italian cuisine gained a new honor this week when it became the first gastronomic style to be recognized as “intangible cultural heritage” by UNESCO, the United Nation's cultural body. But American cooks face a new potential tariff that may double… Continue watching
Dec 11 Weekly unemployment benefit applications rise to 236,000 as labor market concerns persist By Matt Ott, Associated Press The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week, but remain in the same historically healthy range of the past few years despite growing concern over the health of the labor market. Continue reading
Dec 10 Watch 5:46 Federal Reserve cuts interest rates amid mixed economic data and divisions in its ranks By Amna Nawaz, Diane Lincoln Estes The Federal Reserve cut interest rates Wednesday for the third time in a row, but left big questions about any additional rate cuts in the future. The Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut its benchmark rate by a quarter… Continue watching
Dec 10 As expected, Wall Street rises closer to its all-time high after the Fed cuts rates By Stan Choe, Associated Press Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they can boost the economy and goose prices for investments, even if they also can worsen inflation. Continue reading
Dec 10 WATCH: Powell holds news briefing after Fed decision to cut interest rates By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press In a set of quarterly economic projections, Fed officials signaled they expect to lower rates just once next year. Wednesday’s cut reduced the rate to about 3.6%, the lowest it has been in nearly three years. Continue reading
Dec 09 More people crowdfunded for basic needs like food and housing in 2025, GoFundMe reports By James Pollard, Associated Press GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan says people around the world are struggling with the rising cost of living, but he adds that "people do step up and support folks in those situations."… Continue reading
Dec 09 U.S. job openings stayed level at just below 7.7 million in October By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) also showed that the layoffs rose and number of people quitting their jobs — a sign of confidence in the labor market — fell in October. Continue reading
Dec 09 A sharply divided Federal Reserve is set to cut interest rates, but may signal a pause to come By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The Fed's 19-member rate-setting committee is sharply divided over whether to lower borrowing costs again. Continue reading