U.S. jobless aid claims show weekly decline as layoffs remain low
The labor market continues to thrive despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to cool the economy and tamp down inflation.
Economy
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Companies eye cutting benefits for working parents amid recession fears
Adoption and fertility-assistance programs were the perks companies said they were most likely to eliminate, while parental leave and child-care benefits were also on the chopping block.
‘Excuseflation’ helping prices—and corporate profits—remain high
A growing body of analysts and researchers see a pattern of companies using unusual disruptions as an excuse to raise prices for their goods and services, thereby allowing them to expand profit margins.
Powell says ‘no decision’ on size of Fed’s next rate hike
Jerome Powell’s more nuanced remarks Wednesday appeared to be an effort to quell any assumption that the Fed has already decided to raise rates more aggressively based on a recent string of data that pointed to strong economic growth and still-high inflation.
U.S. job openings dip, but remain high at 10.8 million
For 20 straight months, employers have posted at least 10 million openings—a level never reached before 2021 in Labor Department data going back to 2000.
Fed’s Powell signals increased rate hikes if economy stays strong
Jerome Powell’s comments reflect a sharp change in the economic outlook since the Fed’s most recent policy meeting in early February.
Millions more U.S. workers possibly self-employed than thought
The survey adds to evidence that informal work has been increasingly prevalent in the U.S. economy, a trend further exacerbated by the pandemic, social media and remote work.
US economy sending mixed signals: Here’s what it all means
Here’s a closer look at the economy’s vital signs at a perplexing time of high interest rates, still-punishing inflation and surprisingly strong economic gains.
Survey: Business economists push back US recession forecasts
A third of the economists who responded to the survey now expect a recession to begin in the April-June quarter. One-fifth think it will start in the July-September quarter.
Key U.S. inflation measure surges at fastest rate since June
January’s price data exceeded forecasters’ expectations, confounding hopes that inflation was steadily decelerating and that the Fed could relent on its campaign of rate hikes.
U.S. revises down last quarter’s economic growth to 2.7% rate
Thursday’s report revised down the government’s estimate of consumer spending growth in the October-December quarter. Business spending also slowed in the fourth quarter, suggesting that the economy lost momentum at the end of 2022.
CBO projects higher unemployment, slow exit from inflation
The office’s updated 10-year Budget and Economic Outlook outlined stark expectations for the decade ahead.
U.S. economy keeps charging ahead, adding pressure on Fed to hike
The U.S. economy showed remarkable resilience at the start of the year, highlighting robust demand that’s keeping inflation elevated and heaping pressure on the Federal Reserve to stomp the brakes even harder.
U.S. inflation down slightly, but remains stubbornly high
Tuesday’s consumer price report from the government showed that inflationary pressures in the U.S. economy remain high and are likely to fuel price spikes well into this year.
U.S. adds surprisingly strong 517,000 jobs despite Fed hikes
January’s job growth far exceeded December’s 260,000 total and extended a streak of powerful hiring gains that raised concerns at the Federal Reserve about inflation pressures.
U.S. factory gauge falls for fifth month to lowest since May 2020
The latest data—released Wednesday—underscores how a combination of rising interest rates, waning demand for merchandise, and economic uncertainty are weighing on factory activity.
U.S. consumer confidence lags as 2023 gets under way
American consumers are kicking off 2023 a bit less confident than they were at the end of last year as inflation and the possibility of a recession loom.
U.S. wage growth slowed in the final quarter of 2022
Pay and benefits for America’s workers grew at a healthy but more gradual pace in the final three months of 2022, the third straight slowdown that could help reassure the Federal Reserve that wage gains won’t fuel higher inflation.
IMF upgrades outlook for global economy in 2023
The International Monetary Fund, a 190-country lending organization, foresees inflation easing this year, a result of aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and other major central banks.
Fed, set to impose smaller hike, might hint at fewer increases
With signs of weaker economic growth along with steadily lower inflation readings, reduced consumer spending and even some signs of a slowdown in the job market, the Federal Reserve is now navigating a more treacherous terrain.