US Economy Archives - Page 4 of 4

Stock market today: Wall Street ticks to another record as stocks worldwide rally

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to another record as financial markets around the world rallied again. The S&P 500 added 0.4% Thursday to set an all-time high for the third time this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.6%. Micron Technology led the way after the maker of computer memory and storage delivered stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. That helped offset drops for oil-and-gas companies, which sank as the price of crude tumbled. Stock markets overseas climbed on hopes for additional stimulus from China for the world’s second-largest economy.… Continue Reading

Diners are skipping restaurants and making more meals at home as inflation trend inverts

NEW YORK (AP) — Eating in is in and eating out is out. That’s the message that inflation-squeezed consumers have been sending to fast-food companies and other restaurants. Meanwhile food producers are benefitting from more palatable prices in grocery store aisles. Inflation has been easing broadly for more than a year, and it’s been cooling faster for grocery items since the middle of the year. The current trend marks a reversal from previous years when grocery inflation outpaced restaurants as food producers raised prices, often while fattening their profit margins.… Continue Reading

US economy grew at a solid 3% rate last quarter, government says in final estimate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American economy expanded at a healthy 3% annual pace from April through June, boosted by strong consumer spending and business investment, the government said, leaving its previous estimate unchanged. The nation’s gross domestic product — the nation’s total output of goods and services — picked up sharply in the second quarter from the tepid 1.6% annual rate in the first three months of the year. Consumer spending, the primary driver of the economy, grew last quarter at a 2.8% pace, down slightly from the 2.9% rate the government had previously estimated. The final GDP estimate for the April-June quarter included figures showing that inflation continues to ease, to just above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street edges back from its record highs

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged back from their records as financial markets around the world took a pause following big recent moves. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% Wednesday, a day after setting its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%. Treasury yields ticked higher in the bond market after sinking the day before on a surprisingly weak update on consumer confidence. Chinese stocks rose again after soaring Tuesday on excitement about new stimulus measures, but they pared their gains through the day. Oil prices gave back gains.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts higher to set more records

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes reached new heights after drifting higher in a quiet day of trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Monday to edge past its record set on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1% to its own all-time high set on Friday, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.1%. Tesla helped drive the market and eliminated the last of its formerly sharp loss for the year so far. Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report suggested U.S. services businesses are continuing to grow, though manufacturing is continuing to shrink. Stock markets in Europe and Asia were mostly steady amid similarly modest movements.… Continue Reading

NC State economist Dr. Michael Walden discusses AI’s economic impact and potential disruptions

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Artificial intelligence has the potential to make our jobs easier and significantly boost productivity and spur economic growth as well as disrupt the labor market and increase income inequality, according to North Carolina State University economist Dr. Michael Walden. He discussed both the opportunities and challenges that AI presents – especially for workers and industries in North Carolina – during a recent episode of Carolina Newsmakers, hosted by Don Curtis. Walden acknowledged that AI has the potential to benefit both businesses and consumers alike.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street closes its record-setting week mixed as FedEx slumps and Nike jumps

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted around their all-time highs, as a record-setting week for Wall Street closed on a quieter note. The S&P 500 edged down by 0.2% from its record on Friday, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, added 38 points, or 0.1%, to its all-time high set on Thursday. FedEx dragged on the market after its profit and revenue for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. Nike helped limit the market’s losses and jumped after naming a new chief executive officer. Treasury yields ticked higher.… Continue Reading