Jan 25 Job losses from pandemic 4 times as bad as 2009 financial crisis By Associated Press The International Labor Organization estimated that the restrictions on businesses and public life destroyed 8.8 percent of all work hours around the world last year. Continue reading
Jan 19 Watch 8:26 What will Trump’s legacy be after leaving office? As President Trump leaves office, a new PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll shows that just 38 percent of Americans approve of his presidency, while 57 percent disapprove of his job performance. Peter Wehner, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy… Continue watching
Jan 14 Powell signals Federal Reserve will keep aiding economy with bond buying By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell sought Thursday to tamp down any concerns that the Fed might soon withdraw some of its support for the U.S. economy and stressed that any such pullback would be signaled far in advance. Continue reading
Dec 22 U.S. consumer confidence tumbles in crucial holiday season By Matt Ott, Associated Press A closely-watched gauge for U.S. consumer confidence tumbled to a reading of 88.6 in December as rising coronavirus cases dragged American optimism to its lowest level since summer. Continue reading
Dec 18 Shutdown deadline looms over COVID-19 relief talks By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Bearing down on a midnight shutdown deadline, top negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package are committed to sealing an agreement Friday as they resolve remaining differences in hopes of passing the legislation this weekend. Continue reading
Dec 16 WATCH: Fed chair Jerome Powell discusses economy By Christopher Rugaber, Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press The Federal Reserve said it will keep buying government bonds until the economy makes "substantial" progress — a step intended to reassure financial markets and keep long-term borrowing rates low indefinitely. Continue reading
Dec 04 U.S. hiring slows sharply to 245,000 jobs as virus intensifies By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press America’s employers scaled back their hiring last month as the viral pandemic accelerated across the country, adding 245,000 jobs, the fewest since April and the fifth straight monthly slowdown. Continue reading
Nov 25 U.S. jobless claims rise to 778,000 as pandemic worsens The Labor Department's report Wednesday said jobless claims climbed from 748,000 the week before. Continue reading
Nov 16 WATCH: Biden outlines plan to ease economic inequity amid pandemic By Associated Press Biden spoke about his plans to invest in infrastructure, technology and clean energy jobs, and create American manufacturing jobs by encouraging companies to make their products in the U.S. Continue reading
Nov 06 Unemployment drops to 6.9 percent and U.S. adds a solid 638,000 jobs By Associated Press The gain suggested that a tentative economic recovery may remain intact even in the face of a surging viral outbreak. Continue reading