Category Archives: Business News

US consumer confidence rebounds after five straight months of declines amid tariff anxiety

US consumer confidence rebounds after five straight months of declines amid tariff anxiety

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ views of the economy improved in May after five straight months of declines sent consumer confidence to the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely driven by anxiety over the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose 12.3 points in May to 98, up from April’s 85.7, its lowest reading since May 2020. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market jumped 17.4 points to 72.8, but remained below 80, which can signal a recession ahead.… Continue Reading

Home Depot says it doesn’t expect to boost prices because of tariffs

Home Depot says it doesn’t expect to boost prices because of tariffs

Home Depot doesn’t expect to raise prices because of tariffs, saying it has spent years diversifying the sources for the goods on its shelves. Other companies, domestic and foreign, have warned customers that price hikes are on the way. Walmart said last week that it has already raised prices and will have to do so again in the near future. Late Monday, Subaru of America said it would raise prices on some of its most popular models by as much as $2,000. Home Depot says it doesn’t expect any single country outside of the U.S. will represent more than 10% of its purchases 12 months from now.… Continue Reading

Stocks, bonds and the dollar drift after the latest downgrade to the US government’s credit rating

Stocks, bonds and the dollar drift after the latest downgrade to the US government’s credit rating

NEW YORK (AP) — After recovering from an initial jolt, U.S. stocks drifted through quiet trading following the latest reminder that the U.S government may be hurtling toward an unsustainable mountain of debt. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% Monday after Moody’s Ratings became the last of the three major credit-rating agencies to say the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier “Aaa” rating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq was little changed. In the bond market, the 30-year Treasury yield briefly jumped above 5% before calming. The issues Moody’s cited in its downgrade are all well known among investors.… Continue Reading

US egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs

US egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs

Government data shows U.S. retail egg prices have declined for the first time since October. The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs fell to $5.12 in April after reaching a record $6.23 in March, according to the Consumer Price Index released on Tuesday. The average price of eggs of all sizes fell 12.7%, which was the steepest monthly decline since March 1984. Still, U.S. egg prices remain near record highs as a persistent outbreak of bird flu continues to wipe out egg-laying hens. April’s store price was 79% higher than a year earlier, when the retail price averaged $2.86 per dozen.… Continue Reading

Dow leaps 1,100 points and S&P 500 rallies 3.3% following a 90-day truce in the US-China trade war

Dow leaps 1,100 points and S&P 500 rallies 3.3% following a 90-day truce in the US-China trade war

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are leaping after China and the United States announced a 90-day truce in their trade war. The S&P 500 jumped 2.6% Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 951 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 3.5%. Hopes for an economy less encumbered by tariffs also sent crude oil prices higher. The U.S. dollar strengthened against other currencies, and Treasury yields jumped on expectations the Federal Reserve won’t have to cut interest rates so deeply this year in order to protect the economy. Analysts warned conditions could still quickly change, as has so often happened in President Donald Trump’s trade wars.… Continue Reading

Hamas says it released American-Israeli hostage in goodwill gesture toward Trump administration

Hamas says it released American-Israeli hostage in goodwill gesture toward Trump administration

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says it has released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. An Israeli official confirmed that the transfer was underway without providing specifics. The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity. Hamas said it was releasing Alexander on Monday as a goodwill gesture to try to revive talks on ending the war. The release comes ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East this week.… Continue Reading

Federal Reserve leaves key rate unchanged as it sees risk of higher prices and higher unemployment

Federal Reserve leaves key rate unchanged as it sees risk of higher prices and higher unemployment

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday, brushing off President Donald Trump’s demands to lower borrowing costs, and said that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen. The Fed kept its rate at 4.3% for the third straight meeting, after cutting it three times in a row at the end of last year. Many economists and Wall Street investors still expect the Fed will reduce rates two or three times this year, but the sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump have injected a tremendous amount of uncertainty into the U.S. economy and the Fed’s policies.… Continue Reading

Wall Street and the dollar tumble as investors retreat further from the United States

Wall Street and the dollar tumble as investors retreat further from the United States

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street weakened as investors worldwide get more skeptical about U.S. investments because of President Donald Trump’s trade war and his criticism of the Federal Reserve, which are shaking the traditional order. The S&P 500 fell 2.4% Monday to drop 16% below its record set two months ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 2.5%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 2.6%. Big Tech stocks led the way lower ahead of earnings reports coming this week from Tesla and others. Perhaps of more concern, prices also sank for longer-term U.S. government bonds, while the value of the U.S. dollar slid against the euro and other currencies.… Continue Reading

Stocks rally worldwide after Trump eases some of his tariffs on electronics, for now

Stocks rally worldwide after Trump eases some of his tariffs on electronics, for now

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are rallying worldwide after President Donald Trump relaxed some of his tariffs, for now at least. The S&P 500 jumped 1.5% Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 441 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 2%. Apple, Nvidia and other big technology companies led the way after Trump temporarily exempted smartphones, computers and some other electronics from some of his stiff tariffs. Perhaps more importantly for Wall Street, the bond market also showed signals of increasing calm. Treasury yields eased following last week’s sudden and scary rise, which seemed to rattle not only investors but also Trump himself.… Continue Reading

Trump team tries to project confidence and calm after his tariff moves rattled markets

Trump team tries to project confidence and calm after his tariff moves rattled markets

ATLANTA (AP) — White House advisers and Cabinet members are trying to project confidence and calm as they defend President Donald Trump’s economic policies after another week of reeling markets that saw the Republican administration reverse course on some of its steepest tariffs. For his part, Trump took an aggressive stance on his social media platform Sunday, disputing the idea that he will exempt any products from his sweeping tariff plans. The Trump team pressed its case during appearances on the Sunday news shows. Their explanations and Trump’s comments together reflected shifting narratives from a president who, as a candidate, had promised an immediate economic boost and lower prices but now asks American businesses and consumers for patience.… Continue Reading

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