Some Republicans want to use revenue collected from higher duties on foreign goods to finance tax cuts. Economists say such a shift could widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Category: Finance
Trump-Vance Administration Could Herald New Era for Dollar
Both candidates on the Republican ticket have argued that the U.S. currency should be weaker to support American exports.
In the Age of A.I., How Much Is Silicon Valley Prepared to Give Back?
The tech community, led by Sam Altman of OpenAI, has funded programs that give people unconditional cash. Some say it’s time to scale up.
Caterpillar Factory in Mexico Draws Complaint of Labor Abuses
The Biden administration declined to pursue a union complaint of labor abuses in Mexico, raising new concerns about offshoring.
Republican Party Rejects Free-Market Economics in Favor of Trump’s Signature Issues
The Republican Party is rejecting elite economic ideas in a bid for blue-collar votes, abandoning long-held free-market principles in the process.
Antitrust Regulator Tells Chains: Back Off Your Franchisees
After a yearlong inquiry, the Federal Trade Commission warned brands not to gag their small business operators or charge them extra fees.
For L.G.B.T.Q. People, Moving to Friendlier States Comes With a Cost
Laws targeting gender-affirming care have uprooted thousands. But places that are more supportive can also be more expensive.
Once a G.O.P. Rallying Cry, Debt and Deficits Fall From the Party’s Platform
Fiscal hawks are lamenting the transformation of the party that claimed to prize fiscal restraint and are warning of dire economic consequences.
Reliability of U.S. Economic Data Is in Jeopardy, Study Finds
A report says new approaches and increased spending are needed to ensure that government statistics remain dependable and free of political influence.
Biden Announces Tariffs on Chinese Metals Routed Through Mexico
The measure aims to close a loophole that officials said allowed metals made partly in China to come into the United States duty free.
U.A.W. Monitor Reveals Details About Investigation Into Union Leader
A court-appointed monitor said he was looking into allegations that a union official was punished for resisting actions that would have benefited the union president’s partner and her sister.
Fed Chair Powell Welcomes Cooling Inflation
Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, indicated on Tuesday that recent inflation data had given the central bank more confidence that price increases were returning to normal, and tha
New Plan to Target Russia’s Oil Revenue Brings Debate in White House
Officials in President Biden’s Treasury Department have proposed new actions aimed at crippling a fleet of aging oil tankers that are helping deliver Russian oil to buyers around the world in def
Fed Officials Keep an Eye Out for Cracks in the Job Market
The labor market has maintained surprising vigor over the past year, but as fewer jobs go unfilled and a growing number of people linger on unemployment insurance rosters, Federal Reserve officials
Investors Bet on Rate Cuts as Recent Data Suggests Slowdown
Investors are poised for a report on Friday to show a slowdown in the pace of hiring in June, building on weak services and manufacturing data, and to firm up their expectations of interest rate cu
U.S. Job Growth Extends Streak, but Signs of Concern Emerge
Halfway through the year, and four years removed from the downturn set off by the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. job engine is still cruising — even if it shows increased signs of downshifting. E
One Obstacle for Trump’s Promises: This Isn’t the 2016 Economy
When Donald J. Trump became president in 2017, prices had risen roughly 5 percent over the previous four years. If he were to win the race for the White House in 2024, he would be entering office a
Apartments Could Be the Next Real Estate Business to Struggle
It might seem like a great time to own apartment buildings. For many landlords, it is. Rents have soared in recent years because of housing shortages across much of the country and a bout of severe
America’s Divided Summer Economy Is Coming to an Airport or Hotel Near You
The travel industry is in the midst of another hot summer as Americans hit the road and make for the airport to take advantage of slightly cheaper flights and gas. But the 2024 vacation outlook isn
Tesla Sales Down, GM and Toyota Up Slightly in 2nd Quarter
Much of the auto industry, with the notable exception of Tesla, reported modest sales growth in the three months through June as high interest rates, high vehicle prices and uncertainty about the e
Along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Struggle to Make a Living
In the preceding five years, she amassed around 100 citations, she said, and has paid several hundred dollars that she hopes will be refunded as part of the pending lawsuit. Last year, Mrs. Soto’
The Fed’s Preferred Inflation Measure Cools, Welcome News
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure continued to cool as consumer spending grew only moderately, good news for central bankers who have been trying to weigh down demand and wrestle
Get Ready for the Debate Like an Economics Pro
Many of the issues likely to dominate Thursday’s televised debate between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump boil down to economics. Inflation, immigration, government taxing an
Trump Eyes Bigger Trade War in Second Term
In March 2018, a day after announcing sweeping tariffs on metals imported from America’s allies and adversaries alike, President Donald J. Trump took to social media to share one of his central e
Many CEOs Still Support Biden Over Trump
When the White House chief of staff, Jeffrey Zients, met with dozens of top executives in Washington this month, he encountered a familiar list of corporate complaints about President Biden. The ex
Fact-Checking Biden’s and Trump’s Claims About the Economy
Consumer sentiment about the state of the economy could be pivotal in shaping the 2024 presidential election. President Biden is still grappling with how to address one of his biggest weaknesses: i
New Home Construction Slows as Mortgage Rates Remain High
Construction of new homes in the United States dropped below expectations in May as builders pull back on new residential projects largely in response to high interest rates, reinforcing concerns a
The Weird Housing Market, in 5 Charts
Home prices have held up better than expected amid high interest rates. But that doesn’t mean the housing market is healthy. When the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 2022, most ec
Democrats’ Dream of a Wealth Tax Is Alive. For Now.
For years, liberal Democrats have agitated for the United States to tax wealth, not just income, as a way to ensure that rich Americans who derive wealth from real estate, stocks, bonds and other a
Dilemma on Wall Street: Short-Term Gain or Climate Benefit?
A team of economists recently analyzed 20 years of peer-reviewed research on the social cost of carbon, an estimate of the damage from climate change. They concluded that the average cost, adjusted
Biden’s Stimulus Juiced the Economy, but Its Political Effects Are Muddled
The $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package that President Biden signed shortly after taking office has become both an anchor and a buoy for his re-election campaign. The American Rescue Plan, whic
U.S. Debt on Pace to Top $56 Trillion Over Next 10 Years
The United States is on a pace to add trillions of dollars to its national debt over the next decade, borrowing money more quickly than previously expected, at a time when big legislative fights lo
Amazon Is Fined Nearly $6 Million Over Warehouse Work Quotas
A California labor regulator said on Tuesday that it had fined Amazon nearly $6 million for thousands of violations of a safety law that took effect in 2022. The measure, known as the Warehouse Quo
Amazon Union Workers Join Forces With the Teamsters
After years of organizing Amazon workers and pressuring the company to bargain over wages and working conditions, two prominent unions are teaming up to challenge the online retailer. The partnersh
Can A.I. Answer the Needs of Smaller Businesses? Some Push to Find Out.
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has convened an annual meeting of local business leaders since the 1800s, but the most recent gathering had a decidedly modern theme: artificial intelligence.
Fed Is in No Rush to Cut Rates as Economy Holds Up
Federal Reserve officials are entering an uncertain summer. They are not sure how quickly inflation will cool, how much the economy is likely to slow or just how long interest rates need to stay hi
CPI Data Will Arrive Just Before the Fed Meets. Will It Be a Game Changer?
Just hours before the release of the Federal Reserve’s latest rate decision, fresh inflation data showed that price increases slowed notably in May. The new report is a sign that inflation is coo
The Fed Holds Rates Steady and Predicts Just One Reduction This Year
Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged at their June meeting on Wednesday and predicted that they will cut borrowing costs just once before the end of 2024, taking a cautious appro
Supreme Court Backs Starbucks Over ‘Memphis 7’ Union Case
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Starbucks on Thursday in a challenge against a labor ruling by a federal judge, making it more difficult for a key federal agency to intervene when a company is
Montana Has More Cows Than People. Why Are Locals Eating Beef From Brazil?
“Making It Work” is a series is about small-business owners striving to endure hard times. While many people can conjure up romantic visions of a Montana ranch — vast valleys, cold streams, s
What to know about the Fed’s decision.
Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged in their June decision and predicted that they will cut borrowing costs just once before the end of 2024, a sign that they plan to be patient
World Bank Sees Rosier Growth Outlook
The World Bank on Tuesday raised its outlook for the world economy this year but warned that the rise of new trade barriers and protectionist policies posed a long-term threat to global growth. In
U.S. Bans Imports From 3 Chinese Companies Over Ties to Forced Labor
The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday added three Chinese companies to a list of firms whose products can no longer be exported to the United States, as part of what it described as an esc
U.A.W. Reaches Accord on Pay and Safety at E.V. Battery Plant
The United Automobile Workers union on Monday announced a tentative contract agreement at an Ohio factory making batteries for electric vehicles, a step that it called a milestone in enhancing pay
Wage Growth Exceeds Forecasts, Potentially Deterring Fed Rate Cuts
As officials at the Federal Reserve weigh whether and when to cut interest rates this year, they have been hoping to see evidence that the labor market is gradually cooling but with unemployment re
What to Make of the Jobs Report’s Mixed Signals
Sometimes, the many numbers included in the government’s monthly jobs report come together to paint a clear, coherent picture of the strength or weakness of the U.S. labor market. This is not one
U.S. Adds 272,000 Jobs in May, an Unexpectedly Strong Pace of Hiring
The U.S. economy keeps throwing curveballs, and the May employment report is the latest example. Employers added 272,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported on Friday, well above what ec
U.S. Adds Tariffs to Shield Struggling Solar Industry
Tariffs aimed at protecting America’s solar industry from foreign competition snapped back into place on Thursday, ending a two-year pause that President Biden approved as part of his effort to j
Europe Has Fallen Behind the U.S. and China. Can It Catch Up?
Europe’s share of the global economy is shrinking, and fears are deepening that the continent can no longer keep up with the United States and China. “We are too small,” said Enrico Letta, a
Car Deals Vanished During the Pandemic. They’re Coming Back.
For much of the last four years, automakers and their dealers had so few cars to sell — and demand was so strong — that they could command high prices. Those days are over, and hefty discounts
Feeling Consumers’ Pain, Retailers Bring Back Discounts
U.S. consumers, fatigued by a three-year bout of inflation, want lower prices. And large retailers that have increased prices, partly to contend with their own rising costs, appear to be responding
The Floating Traffic Jam That Freaked Us All Out
Southern California appeared to be under siege from a blockade. More than 50 enormous vessels bobbed in the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean, marooned off the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long B
GDP Gain in First Quarter Revised Downward in U.S.
Economic growth slowed more sharply early this year than initially estimated, as consumers eased up on spending amid rising prices and high interest rates. U.S. gross domestic product, adjusted for
Alzheimer’s Takes a Financial Toll Long Before Diagnosis, Study Finds
Long before people develop dementia, they often begin falling behind on mortgage payments, credit card bills and other financial obligations, new research shows. A team of economists and medical ex
U.S. Accuses Hyundai and Two Other Companies of Using Child Labor
The Labor Department on Thursday sued Hyundai over the use of child labor in Alabama, holding the car manufacturer liable for the employment of children in its supply chain, including a 13-year-old
Why Are People So Down About the Economy? Theories Abound.
The U.S. economy has been an enigma over the past few years. The job market is booming, and consumers are still spending, which is usually a sign of optimism. But if you ask Americans, many will te
Home Insurance Is Clobbering Consumers. Yet It’s Barely Counted in Inflation.
Holly Meyer Lucas estimates that as many as 30 of the 100 houses her real estate team sold in and around Jupiter, Fla., last year were put on the market because their owners could no longer keep up
Teamsters Struggle to Unionize Amazon and FedEx Delivery Workers
Last year, two unions representing workers at three large automakers and UPS negotiated new labor contracts that included big raises and other gains. Leaders of the unions — the United Automobile
How China Pulled So Far Ahead on Industrial Policy
For more than half a century, concerns about oil shortages or a damaged climate have spurred governments to invest in alternative energy sources. In the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter placed solar p
Big Sky, Big Growth: How Montana’s Newcomers Are Shaping Its Senate Duel
Growing up in Bozeman, Mont., Dylan Heintz loved the picturesque views of the snow-capped mountains and the small-town charm. Things were cheap: His dad bought the family home for about $80,000. Th
The NCAA Agreed to Pay Players. It Won’t Call Them Employees.
The immediate takeaway from the landmark $2.8 billion settlement that the N.C.A.A. and the major athletic conferences accepted on Thursday was that it cut straight at the heart of the organization�
G7 Finance Ministers Aim to Use Russia’s Frozen Assets to Help Ukraine
Top finance officials from the world’s advanced economies moved toward an agreement on Saturday over how to use Russia’s frozen central bank assets to aid Ukraine and warned against China’s d
What Trump 2.0 Could Mean for the Federal Reserve
Former President Donald J. Trump relentlessly criticized the Federal Reserve and Jerome H. Powell, its chair, during his time in office. As he competes with President Biden for a second presidentia
Fed Minutes Show Officials Were Wary About Inflation at May Meeting
Federal Reserve officials were wary about the recent lack of progress on inflation and remained willing to lift interest rates if conditions made it necessary as of their two-day meeting that ended
Rent Is Harder to Handle and Inflation Is a Burden, a Fed Financial Survey Finds
American households struggled to cover some day-to-day expenses in 2023, including rent, and many remained glum about inflation even as price increases slowed. That’s one of several takeaways fro
Senate Inquiry Finds BMW Imported Cars Tied to Forced Labor in China
A congressional investigation found that BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen purchased parts that originated from a Chinese supplier flagged by the United States for participating in forced labor
Europe Wants to Build a Stronger Defense Industry, but Can’t Decide How
France and Germany’s recent agreement to develop a new multibillion-dollar battlefield tank together was immediately hailed by the German defense minister, Boris Pistorius, as a “breakthrough�
A Loss at Mercedes-Benz Slows U.A.W.’s Southern Campaign
After suffering a setback at two Mercedes-Benz plants in Alabama on Friday, the United Automobile Workers union’s efforts to organize other auto factories in the South is likely to slow and could
Walmart Earnings Boosted by ‘Upper-Income’ Shoppers
The Numbers: Sales growth in stores and especially online. Walmart said its comparable-store sales in the United States rose 3.8 percent from the quarter a year earlier. Its U.S. e-commerce busines
What Forecasters Say About Interest Rates (and Why They Disagree)
How soon is soon? Or exactly how much later is later? As the year started, there was a widespread view among economists and on Wall Street that the Federal Reserve would lower interest rates in the
Inside the Rent Inflation Measure That Economics Nerds Love to Hate
There’s a three-letter abbreviation that economists have started pronouncing with the energy of a four-letter word: “O.E.R.” It stands for owner’s equivalent rent, and it has been used to m
Few Chinese Electric Cars Are Sold in U.S., but Industry Fears a Flood
The Biden administration’s new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles won’t have a huge immediate impact on American consumers or the car market because very few such cars are sold in the United
Fed Chair’s Confidence in Slowing Inflation Is ‘Not as High’ as Before
Jerome H. Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, reiterated that policymakers were poised to hold interest rates steady at a high level as they waited for evidence that inflation is slowing further. Fe
U.S. Awards $120 Million to Polar Semiconductor to Expand Chip Facility
Federal officials will provide up to $120 million in grants to Polar Semiconductor to help the company expand its chip manufacturing facility in Minnesota, the Biden administration announced on Mon
U.S. to Announce New Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles
The Biden administration is set to announce new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and other goods as early as next week, according to people familiar with the matter, as President Biden looks fo
Why Higher Fed Rates Are Not Totally Off the Table
Investors do not expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates again, and officials have made it clear that they see further increases as unlikely. But one important takeaway from recent Fed c
How 401(k) Drives Inequality – The New York Times
This past January, another bipartisan collaboration — between Alicia Munnell, who was an economist in the Clinton administration and who now serves as the director of Boston College’s Center fo
Biden to Announce AI Center in Wisconsin as Part of Economic Agenda
President Biden will travel to Wisconsin on Wednesday to announce the creation of an artificial intelligence data center, highlighting one of his administration’s biggest economic accomplishments
Antony Blinken Visits China – The New York Times
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken cheered on the sidelines at a basketball game in Shanghai on Wednesday night, and spent Thursday chatting with students at New York University’s Shanghai camp
Job Openings and Hiring Are at a 3-Year Ebb
The red-hot labor market cooled somewhat in March, government data showed on Wednesday. Employers had 8.5 million unfilled job openings on the last day of March, the fewest since early 2021, accord
Federal Money Is All Over Milwaukee. Biden Hopes Voters Will Notice.
Across Milwaukee, residents can see evidence of federal money from laws passed under the Biden administration, if they know where to look. It shows up in a growing array of solar panels near the ai
The Fed Tries to Steer Clear of Politics, but an Election Year Is Making It Tough
Federal Reserve officials are fiercely protective of their separation from politics, but the presidential election is putting the institution on a crash course with partisan wrangling. Fed official
U.S. Employers Added 175,000 Jobs in April
The American job market may be shifting into a lower gear this spring, a turn that economists have expected for months after a vigorous rebound from the pandemic shock. Employers added 175,000 posi
Fed Holds Rates Steady, Noting Lack of Progress on Inflation
Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged and signaled that they were wary about how stubborn inflation was proving, paving the way for a longer period of high borrowing costs. The Fe
North Carolina Triad Tries to Reinvent Its Economy
Scott Kidd didn’t expect a terribly busy job when he became the town manager of Liberty, N.C., a onetime furniture and textile hub whose rhythms more recently centered on a yearly antiques festiv
He Won by a Landslide. Why Is He Fighting for His Political Life?
Ben Houchen, a regional mayor in the north of England, faces a close re-election race, partly thanks to the broader troubles of Britain’s Conservative Party.
What to Watch as the Fed Makes Its Interest Rate Decision
Federal Reserve officials will conclude their two-day policy meeting on Wednesday afternoon, and while central bankers are widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged, there is an unusual deg
Walmart Introduces a New Store Brand for ‘Quality Food’
When prices for grocery staples surged in 2021 and 2022, some Americans who had not regularly shopped at Walmart increasingly turned to the retailer, which is known for its affordable prices. Now,
High Fed Rates Are Not Crushing Growth. Wealthier People Help Explain Why.
More than two years after the Federal Reserve started lifting interest rates to restrain growth and weigh on inflation, businesses continue to hire, consumers continue to spend and policymakers are
Inflation Is Stubborn. Is the Federal Budget Deficit Making It Worse?
A crucial question is hanging over the American economy and the fall presidential election: Why are consumer prices still growing uncomfortably fast, even after a sustained campaign by the Federal
Inflation Is Stubborn. Is the Federal Budget Deficit Making It Worse?
A crucial question is hanging over the American economy and the fall presidential election: Why are consumer prices still growing uncomfortably fast, even after a sustained campaign by the Federal
How High Wall Street Thinks the Fed Will Keep Interest Rates
At the start of 2024, investors expected the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates substantially this year as inflation cooled. But price increases have been surprisingly stubborn, and that is forc
Blinken’s Visit to China: What to Know
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is meeting officials in China this week as disputes over wars, trade, technology and security are testing the two countries’ efforts to stabilize the relation
U.S. Economy Grew at 1.6% Rate in First-Quarter Slowdown
The U.S. economy remained resilient early this year, with a strong job market fueling robust consumer spending. The trouble is that inflation was resilient, too. Gross domestic product, adjusted fo
N.F.L. Draft Is Like Super Bowl for City of Detroit
When the N.F.L. took its college draft on the road a decade ago, its first stops were Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas, three of the league’s biggest markets. The concept was an instant hit, turn
‘Pay Later’ Lenders Have an Issue With Credit Bureaus
Shoppers in recent years have embraced “buy now, pay later” loans as an easy, interest-free way to purchase everything from sweaters to concert tickets. The loans typically are not reported on
A Bill to Limit Canada’s Trade Negotiators on Farm Goods Edges Nearer to Law
Private members’ bills, particularly those from members of the Bloc Québécois, rarely make their way through the parliamentary process. But after passing the House of Commons with strong suppor
Could the Union Victory at VW Set Off a Wave?
“If workers in Chattanooga get a great contract, a big raise, better health benefits, and then the same thing at Mercedes, there will be a lot more good opportunities to win good contracts in sho
Start-Up Founder Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Fraud
Another start-up founder is going to prison for overstating his company’s performance to investors. Manish Lachwani, who last year pleaded guilty to three counts of defrauding investors at his so
The Global Turn Away From Free-Market Policies Worries Economists
Meeting outside Paris last week, top officials from France, Germany and Italy pledged to pursue a coordinated economic policy to counter stepped-up efforts by Washington and Beijing to protect thei
Chinese Exports Are Threatening Biden’s Industrial Agenda
The president is increasingly hitting back with tariffs and other measures meant to restrict imports, raising tensions with Beijing.
A Japanese Village Wants Tourists to Come for Heat, Soot and Steel
This past October, I found myself in Yoshida Village standing before a tatara, a giant open-top furnace that was filled with charcoal and raging with such controlled ferocity that it could have bee
Biden Calls for Tariffs on Chinese Steel in Pittsburgh Pitch, Vying With Trump for Votes
President Biden on Wednesday called for major increases to some tariffs on steel and aluminum products from China, speaking to members of a national steelworkers union in Pittsburgh as he vies with
VW Workers in Tennessee Start Vote on U.A.W., Testing Union Ambitions
Last fall the United Automobile Workers union won big pay increases from the Detroit automakers, and the impact rippled quickly through the nonunion auto plants scattered across the South. Afterwar
Why Better Times (and Big Raises) Haven’t Cured the Inflation Hangover
Some 64 percent of Pennsylvanians responding to a Quinnipiac poll in early January described their financial situation as excellent or good; 24 percent characterized it as “not so good,” and on
3 Facts That Help Explain a Confusing Economic Moment
The path to a “soft landing” doesn’t seem as smooth as it did four months ago. But the expectations of a year ago have been surpassed. April 13, 2024 The economic news of the past two weeks h
Immigrants in Maine Are Filling a Labor Gap. It May Be a Prelude for the U.S.
Maine has a lot of lobsters. It also has a lot of older people, ones who are less and less willing and able to catch, clean and sell the crustaceans that make up a $1 billion industry for the state
Is the Boom-and-Bust Business Cycle Dead?
The rise of international trade, Mr. Kelly added, can often offset slowing domestic demand since businesses, enabled by the internet, can find customers throughout the globe. And the service sector
Soft Landing or No Landing? Fed’s Economic Picture Gets Complicated.
America seemed headed for an economic fairy-tale ending in late 2023. The painfully rapid inflation that had kicked off in 2021 appeared to be cooling in earnest, and economic growth had begun to g
Higher for Longer After All? Investors See Fed Rates Falling More Slowly.
Investors were betting big on Federal Reserve rate cuts at the start of 2024, wagering that central bankers would lower interest rates to around 4 percent by the end of the year. But after months o
U.S. Employers Added 303,000 Jobs in 39th Straight Month of Growth
Another month, another burst of better-than-expected job gains. Employers added 303,000 jobs in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Labor Department reported on Friday, and the unemployment r
TSMC Will Receive $6.6 Billion to Bolster U.S. Chip Manufacturing
The Biden administration will award up to $6.6 billion in grants to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the leading maker of the most advanced microchips, in a bid to bring some of the most
New Questions on How a Key Agency Shared Inflation Data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shared more information about inflation with Wall Street “super users” than previously disclosed, emails from the agency show. The revelation is likely to prompt
Why a Second Trump Term Could Be Bad for Corporate America
There was anxiety in the thin mountain air when the planet’s economic leaders gathered in January at Davos for the 54th meeting of the World Economic Forum. Donald Trump had just trounced Nikki H
Yellen Warns China on Exports and Russia Support
Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen confronted her Chinese counterpart about China’s surging exports of inexpensive electric vehicles and other green energy goods, saying that they were a threat t
Consumers Hate ‘Price Discrimination,’ but They Sure Love a Discount
Zohar Gilad runs Fast Simon, a company that helps retailers optimize their websites. Instead of offering different prices, they might display higher-end items for customers with a free-spending buy
Mercedes-Benz Workers in Alabama Ask for Unionization Vote
Workers at a Mercedes-Benz factory in Alabama have petitioned federal officials to hold a vote on whether to join the United Automobile Workers, the union said on Friday, a step forward for its dri
Kate Shindle on Why She’s Stepping Down as Actors’ Equity President
Kate Shindle, who has served as president of Actors’ Equity Association for nine years, is stepping down after a tenure dominated by the coronavirus pandemic that for a time idled all of the labo
As Wildfires Grow Fiercer, Some Companies Look to Rebuild the Tree Supply Chain
When it came to wildfires, 2021 was an increasingly common kind of year in Montana: Flames consumed 747,000 acres, an area nearly the size of Long Island. About 2,700 of those acres were on Don Har
Fed Chair Powell Wants Inflation to Cool More
Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, reiterated on Wednesday that the central bank can take its time before cutting interest rates as inflation fades and economic growth holds up. Th
Poor Nations Are Writing a New Handbook for Getting Rich
For more than half a century, the handbook for how developing countries can grow rich hasn’t changed much: Move subsistence farmers into manufacturing jobs, and then sell what they produce to the
Will A.I. Boost Productivity? Companies Sure Hope So.
Wendy’s menu boards. Ben & Jerry’s grocery store freezers. Abercrombie & Fitch’s marketing. Many mainstays of the American customer experience are increasingly powered by artificial i
Fed Chair Says Central Bank Need Not ‘Hurry’ to Cut Rates
Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, said on Friday that resilient economic growth is giving the central bank the flexibility to be patient before cutting interest rates. Fed officia
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Creates Upheaval at Largest U.S. Port for Car Trade
Baltimore ranks first in the United States for the volume of automobiles and light trucks it handles, and for vessels that carry wheeled cargo, including farm and construction machinery, according
Happy-Go-Lucky Australia Is Feeling Neither Happy, Nor Lucky
For nearly three decades, Australia seemed to have a sort of get-out-of-jail card that allowed it to glide through the dot-com bust and the global financial crisis without a recession, while its ci
California $20 Fast-Food Minimum Wage Is Coming April 1
The ambitious law, which supporters hope to see replicated nationwide, has been characterized by opposing sides in stark terms. To backers, it is a step toward fair compensation for low-wage worker
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Shows Fragility of Global Trade
Even before an enormous container ship rammed a bridge in Baltimore in the early hours of Tuesday, sending the span hurtling into the Patapsco River, and halting cargo traffic at a major American p
They Grow Your Berries and Peaches, but Often Lack One Item: Insurance
Farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables are often finding crop insurance prohibitively expensive — or even unavailable — as climate change escalates the likelihood of drought and floods ca
‘Strike Madness’ Hits Germany While Its Economy Stumbles
For those striking at the gates of the SRW scrap metal plant, just outside Germany’s eastern city of Leipzig, time can be counted not just in days — 136 so far — but in the thousands of card
The Trustbuster Who Has Apple and Google in His Sights
Shortly after Jonathan Kanter took over the Justice Department’s antitrust division in November 2021, the agency secured an additional $50 million to investigate monopolies, bust criminal cartels
Why the Panama Canal Didn’t Lose Money When Ship Crossings Fell
Low water levels have forced officials to slash the number of ships that are allowed through the Panama Canal, disrupting global supply chains and pushing up transportation costs. But, remarkably,
What Comes Next for the Housing Market?
Federal Reserve officials are planning to cut interest rates this year, real estate agents are likely to slash their commissions after a major settlement and President Biden has begun to look for w
Email ‘Mistake’ on Inflation Data Prompts Questions on What Is Shared
One afternoon in late February, an employee at the Bureau of Labor Statistics sent an email about an obscure detail in the way the government calculates inflation — and set off an unlikely firest
Japan’s Labor Market Has a Lesson for the Fed: Women Can Surprise You
Japan’s economy has rocketed into the headlines this year as inflation returns for the first time in decades, workers win wage gains and the Bank of Japan raises interest rates for the first time
Fed Meets Amid Worries That Inflation Progress Might Stall
Slowing America’s rapid inflation has been an unexpectedly painless process so far. High interest rates are making it expensive to take out a mortgage or borrow to start a business, but they have
Can Europe Save Forests Without Killing Jobs in Malaysia?
The European Union’s upcoming ban on imports linked to deforestation has been hailed as a “gold standard” in climate policy: a meaningful step to protect the world’s forests, which help rem
Biden Budget Lays Out Battle Lines Against Trump
President Biden in his budget this week staked out major economic battle lines with former President Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. The proposal offers the nation
U.S. Judge Blocks Rule Extending Reach of Labor Law to Franchisers
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which led a group of business groups challenging the rule, applauded the ruling. “It will prevent businesses from facing new liabilities related to workplaces they d
Biden’s Budget Underscores Divide With Republicans and Trump
President Biden proposed a $7.3 trillion budget on Monday packed with tax increases on corporations and high earners, new spending on social programs and a wide range of efforts to combat high cons
How Trump’s Justice Dept. Derailed an Investigation of a Major Company
In December 2018, a team of federal law enforcement agents flew to Amsterdam to interview a witness in a yearslong criminal investigation into Caterpillar, which had avoided billions of dollars of
The Surprising Left-Right Alliance That Wants More Apartments in Suburbs
For years, the Yimbytown conference was an ideologically safe space where liberal young professionals could talk to other liberal young professionals about the particular problems of cities with a
The jobs report comes as the Fed considers the timing of interest rate cuts.
The Federal Reserve is considering when and how much to cut interest rates, and the employment report on Friday will give policymakers an up-to-date hint at how the economy is evolving ahead of the
U.S. Employers Add 275,000 Jobs in Another Strong Month
Economists are trying to gauge whether forecasts of a slowing labor market were mistaken or just premature. For now, gains are consistent and strong.
Bank Runs Spooked Regulators. Now a Clampdown Is Coming.
One year after a series of bank runs threatened the financial system, government officials are preparing to unveil a regulatory response aimed at preventing future meltdowns. After months of floati
Brighter Economic Mood Isn’t Translating Into Support for Biden
Economic vibes don’t necessarily predict electoral outcomes, though, and this campaign is different in many ways from those in the past. “We’re kind of in an unprecedented situation where we�
Auto Insurance Spike Hampers the Inflation Fight
Job growth, wage growth and business growth are all lively, and inflation has steeply fallen from its 2022 highs. But consumer sentiment, while improving, is still sour. One reason may be sticker s
Shrinkflation 101: The Economics of Smaller Groceries
Grocery store shoppers are noticing something amiss. Air-filled bags of chips. Shrunken soup cans. Diminished detergent packages. Companies are downsizing products without downsizing prices, and co
Biden Seeks Housing Solutions Amid High Mortgage Rates
President Biden and his economic team, concerned that elevated mortgage rates and housing costs are hurting Americans and hindering his re-election bid, are searching for new ways to make housing m
How 33-Year-Olds, the Peak Millennials, Are Shaping the U.S. Economy
I have covered economics for 11 years now, and in that time, I have come to the realization that I am a statistic. Every time I make a major life choice, I promptly watch it become the thing that e
Brian Mulroney Divided and Reshaped Canada Through Free Trade With the U.S.
Brian Mulroney first led the Progressive Conservatives to power while I was early in my career as a journalist. But his political life was never something that I covered in any great detail. His de
Reduflación: qué pasa cuando los comestibles pesan menos y cuestan igual
Los compradores de comestibles están notando algo raro. Bolsas de papas fritas llenas de aire. Latas de sopa que se han encogido. Paquetes de detergente más pequeños. Las empresas están reducie
California’s Economy Pinched by Unemployment
For decades, California’s behemoth economy has outpaced those of most nations, holding an outsize role in shaping global trends in tech, entertainment and agriculture. While that reputation remai
Disney Heirs Line Up Against Nelson Peltz and Activist Investors
It’s a classic Disney movie plot: A family comes together to fight an enemy. Only this time it is happening in real life, with the grandchildren of Walt and Roy Disney, who founded the company in
Migrants Help the Economy, but There Are Many Roadblocks to Work
The U.S. economic recovery from the pandemic has been stronger and more durable than many experts had expected, and a rebound in immigration is a big reason. A resumption in visa processing in 2021
An Emboldened F.T.C. Bolsters Biden’s Efforts to Address Inflation
An independent federal agency has become one of the most reliable executors of President Biden’s attempts to fight inflation, at a time when the White House has few weapons of its own to quickly
Starbucks and Union Agree to Work Out Framework for Contract Talks
Starbucks and the union that represents employees in roughly 400 of its U.S. stores announced Tuesday that they were beginning discussions on a “foundational framework” that would help the comp
Yellen Urges Israel to Restore Economic Ties to West Bank
Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said on Tuesday that she had personally urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to increase commercial engagement with the West Bank, contending that do
Biden Targets a New Economic Villain: Shrinkflation
On Super Bowl Sunday, the White House released a short video in which a smiling President Biden, sitting next to a table stocked with chips, cookies and sports drinks, slammed companies for reducin
Rents Are Falling. So Why Isn’t That Showing Up in Inflation Data?
The Federal Reserve may have a housing problem. At the very least, it has a housing riddle. Overall inflation has eased substantially over the past year. But housing has proved a tenacious — and
Can a Tech Giant Be Woke?
The December day in 2021 that set off a revolution across the videogame industry appeared to start innocuously enough. Managers at a Wisconsin studio called Raven began meeting one by one with qual
What Is Your Housing Situation? We Want to Hear From You.
“No society can be fully understood apart from the residences of its members.” I have that quote (from “Crabgrass Frontier,” the seminal history of America’s suburbs) taped to a wall behi
2 Years Into Russia-Ukraine War, U.S. Campaign to Isolate Putin Shows Limits
The Biden administration and European allies call President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia a tyrant and a war criminal. But he enjoys a standing invitation to the halls of power in Brazil. The preside
Fed Minutes Show Embrace of Inflation Progress but No Hurry to Cut Rates
Federal Reserve officials welcomed a recent inflation slowdown at their last meeting in late January but were intent on proceeding carefully as they tiptoe toward rate cuts, according to minutes fr
New Freighters Could Ease Red Sea Cargo Disruptions
After the Houthi militia started attacking container ships in the Red Sea last year, the cost of shipping goods from Asia soared by over 300 percent, prompting fears that supply chain disruptions m
U.S. Economy: Has an Era of Increased Productivity Returned?
The last time the American economy was posting surprising economic growth numbers amid rapid wage gains and moderating inflation, Ace of Base and All-4-One topped the Billboard charts and denim ove
Will Food Prices Stop Rising Quickly? Many Companies Say Yes.
Few prices are as visible to Americans as the ones they encounter at the grocery store or drive-through window, which is why two years of rapid food inflation have been a major drag for U.S. househ
For Michigan’s Economy, Electric Vehicles Are Promising and Scary
Last fall, Tiffanie Simmons, a second-generation autoworker, endured a six-week strike at the Ford Motor factory just west of Detroit where she builds Bronco S.U.V.s. That yielded a pay raise of 25
U.S. Awards $1.5 Billion to Chipmaker GlobalFoundries
The Biden administration on Monday announced a $1.5 billion award to the New York-based chipmaker GlobalFoundries, one of the first sizable grants from a government program aimed at revitalizing se
Nature Has Value. Could We Literally Invest in It?
Picture this: You own a few hundred acres near a growing town that your family has been farming for generations. Turning a profit has gotten harder, and none of your children want to take it over.
The Great Compression – The New York Times
Robert Lanter lives in a 600-square-foot house that can be traversed in five seconds and vacuumed from a single outlet. He doesn’t have a coffee table in the living room because it would obstruct
Amazon Argues National Labor Relations Board Is Unconstitutional
In the latest sign of a growing backlash within corporate America to the 88-year-old federal agency that enforces labor rights, Amazon argued in a legal filing on Thursday that the National Labor R
Can America Turn a Productivity Boomlet Into a Boom?
Kevin Rezvani came of age in kitchens: spending summers at his grandfather’s bakery in Japan, doing work-study in his college cafeteria and working for years as a line cook at mid-tier restaurant
Three Lessons From a Surprisingly Resilient Job Market
The pandemic created an economic crisis unlike any recession on record. So perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that the aftermath, too, has played out in a way that almost no economists expected.
This Arctic Circle Town Expected a Green Energy Boom. Then Came Bidenomics.
In Mo i Rana, a small Norwegian industrial town on the cusp of the Arctic Circle, a cavernous gray factory sits empty and unfinished in the snowy twilight — a monument to unfulfilled economic hop
Maui Economy, 6 Months After Wildfire, Is Still Reeling
Twisted and charred aluminum mixed with shards of glass still lines the floor of the industrial warehouse where Victoria Martocci once operated her scuba diving business. After a wildfire tore thro
Pro Sports in Las Vegas Aren’t Cheered by Everyone
The history of Las Vegas has been marked by a relentless churn of hotels, casinos, theaters and restaurants. But only recently has the city’s landscape included major professional sports teams. T
‘Zombie Offices’ Spell Trouble for Some Banks
Graceful Art Deco buildings towering above Chicago’s key business district report occupancy rates as low as 17 percent. A set of gleaming office towers in Denver that were full of tenants and wor
American Firms Invested $1 Billion in Chinese Chips, Lawmakers Find
A congressional investigation has determined that five American venture capital firms invested more than $1 billion in China’s semiconductor industry since 2001, fueling the growth of a sector th
Why Are Americans Wary While the Economy Is Healthy? Look at Nevada.
Toni Irizarry recognizes that the economy has improved. Compared with the first wave of the pandemic, when Las Vegas went dark, and joblessness soared to levels not seen since the Great Depression,
For First Time in Two Decades, U.S. Buys More From Mexico Than China
In the depths of the pandemic, as global supply chains buckled and the cost of shipping a container to China soared nearly twentyfold, Marco Villarreal spied an opportunity. In 2021, Mr. Villarreal
Ford Reports Quarterly Loss but Says Sales Grew
Ford Motor said it lost $526 million in the final three months of 2023, mainly as a result of special charges related to its employee pension programs and the reorganization of some of its overseas
President of Powerful Service Workers Union Will Step Down
Mary Kay Henry, the president of the Service Employees International Union, one of the nation’s largest and most politically powerful labor unions, announced Tuesday that she would step down afte
Yellen Says Stable Financial System Is Key to U.S. Economic Strength
Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen will tell lawmakers on Tuesday that the United States has had a “historic” economic recovery from the pandemic but that regulators must vigilantly safeguard t
How Nevada Is Pushing to Generate Jobs Beyond the Casinos
Chastened by a series of economic downturns that punished the hospitality industry, state leaders are working to broaden the economy.
Fed Chair Powell Says Officials Need More ‘Good’ Data Before Cutting Rates
Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, made clear during a “60 Minutes” interview aired on Sunday night that the central bank is moving toward cutting interest rates as inflation r
Trump’s Tariffs Hurt U.S. Jobs but Swayed American Voters, Study Says
The sweeping tariffs that former President Donald J. Trump imposed on China and other American trading partners were simultaneously a political success and an economic failure, a new study suggests
U.S. Leading Soft Landing for Global Economy
The world is starting 2024 on an optimistic economic note, as inflation fades globally and growth remains more resilient than many forecasters had expected. Yet one country stands out for its surpr
A City Built on Steel Tries to Reverse Its Decline
Gary, Ind., was once a symbol of American innovation. The home of U.S. Steel’s largest mill, Gary churned out the product that built America’s bridges, tunnels and skyscrapers. The city reaped
Job Market Starts 2024 With a Bang
The United States produced an unexpectedly sizable batch of jobs last month, a boon for American workers that shows the labor market retains remarkable strength after three years of expansion. Empl
The Economy Looks Sunny, a Potential Gain for Biden
A run of strong economic data appears to have finally punctured consumers’ sour mood about the U.S. economy, blasting away recession fears and potentially aiding President Biden in his re-electio
Biden Takes Aim at Grocery Chains Over Food Prices
President Biden has begun to accuse stores of overcharging shoppers, as food costs remain a burden for consumers and a political problem for the president.
The Federal Reserve Meets Wednesday. Here’s What to Watch.
Officials are likely to keep interest rates unchanged at the conclusion of their January meeting. Here’s a look at what might come next.
Walmart to Add 150 U.S. Stores in Five-Year Expansion Drive
Walmart will add 150 stores in the United States over the next five years, a major expansion drive for the retail giant. The company said the move, which it announced in a statement on Wednesday, w
Why Cut Interest Rates in an Economy This Strong? A Big Question for the Fed.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at the conclusion of its meeting on Wednesday, but investors will be watching closely for any hint at when and how much it m
Global Economy Is Heading Toward ‘Soft Landing,’ I.M.F. Says
The global economy has been battered by a pandemic, record levels of inflation, protracted wars and skyrocketing interest rates over the past four years, raising fears of a painful worldwide downtu
Hottest Job in Corporate America? The Executive in Charge of A.I.
In September, the Mayo Clinic in Arizona created a first-of-its-kind job at the hospital system: chief artificial intelligence officer. Doctors at the Arizona site, which has facilities in Phoenix
Walmart Offers Store Managers Company Stock to Make Them Feel Like ‘Owners’
Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, is raising salaries and benefits for store managers as it looks for ways to retain them. Walmart said on Monday that managers of its U.S. stores wo
Private Equity Is Starting to Share With Workers, Without Taking a Financial Hit
In 2018, Anna-Lisa Miller was working with agricultural cooperatives in Hawaii, helping them reinvest in their communities through shared ownership. Ms. Miller, who had gone to law school and had p
In a New Cannabis Landscape, a Navy Veteran Battles for Racial Equity
“Transforming Spaces” is a series about women driving change in sometimes unexpected places. Jam the towel under the door. Open the window. And hide the bong. For decades, college students have
Yellen Hits Trump Over Handling Of Economy
Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen defended the Biden administration’s economic agenda on Thursday, drawing sharp contrasts with the policies of the Trump administration as President Biden begins