Economic News Archives - Page 17 of 18

Category: Economic News

The macro economy has a large impact on your personal finances. To help you manage your money better we track the import economic trends. Stay up to date so you can be prepared to adjust your personal finance strategies.

Federal Research Chairman Jerome Powell

Federal Reserve Seems Unlikely to Raise Rate This Year

Over the past year, one recurring economic story has revolved around the Federal Reserve. That’s because the central banking system spent 2018 slowly raising interest rates from their historically low levels — much to the dismay of the President. Although that trend was expected to extend into this year, it now seems that may not happen after all. At a meeting on Wednesday, not only did the Federal Reserve vote...
a new home

Despite Recent Dip, Housing Market Looks for Spring Uptick

Winter has never been a popular time to buy to home but a recent dip did have some economists concerned. In January home sales fell 1.2% from the prior month, leading some to ponder whether it was a sign of a larger slowdown. However, as CNN Business reports, analysts have a few reasons to believe this spring will see homes sales bloom once again. The first factor adding to this...
US job growth table

February Jobs Numbers Come In Low, Adding Just 20,000

Recent months have shown official job numbers well-exceeding economists expectations — but that was not the case in February. While estimates reported by CNN Business anticipated that data would show the U.S. economy added 180,000 jobs during the shortest month of the year, the Labor Department announced that it actually only added 20,000. That marks the lowest job growth month since September 2017. Nevertheless it was the 101st straight month...
chart of US trade deficits

U.S. Trade Deficit Rises to New Record in 2018

Over the past year one of the biggest financial and economic stories has been President Trump’s use of tariffs on goods from China and other countries. Even before becoming President, then-candidate Trump frequently railed against the trade deficits we hold with various nations. However, despite efforts to curtail these deficits, new figures show that they actually reached a record high in 2018. As the New York Times reports, new data...
Hawaii here we come - Southwest Airlines

Southwest's Hawaiian Entry Tanks Competitor's Stock

After years of waiting, Southwest Airlines is officially headed to Hawaii. Thanks to the longer range of the Boeing 737 MAX 8s that the budget airline has added to its fleet, travelers will soon be able to catch flights from Oakland and San Jose to Honolulu and Kahului. What's more these flights saw prices start at just $49 each way. Of course, while this may be good news for Southwest...
GDP growth chart for 2018

2018 GDP Growth Comes Up Short of 3% Goal

For most of us 2018 is already far in the rear-view mirror as we motor through 2019. Of course, following the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce’s release of 2018 gross domestic product (GDP) figures today, those who keep an eye on the U.S. economy are finding themselves forced to look back. Those who do will find a bit of a mixed bag that includes...
map of China

President Trump Delays Increase to China Tariffs Due to "Substantial Progress"

Since first hitting the campaign trail in 2016, one of the topics that now President Donald Trump has hit one more than nearly any other (save “The Wall”) has been China. Thus, once ascending to the highest office in the land, the president has taken aim at the People’s Republic of China, resulting in a trade war that escalated throughout the past year. However, as an agreed upon “ceasefire” nears...
Many Americans showing signs of financial trouble chart

Bankrate Study Finds Credit Card Debt Rising, Emergency Funds Falling

We’ve often heard frightening statistics about how few adults could cover an unexpected expense of only a few hundred dollars. Additionally the amount of credit card debt Americans hold has topped $1 trillion in recent years. Now a new survey by Bankrate has some more bad news: the percentage of those whose debt outweigh their savings is on the rise. In a survey conducted earlier this year, Bankrate found that...
The "Email" field is empty, you must enter some text to proceed.The text you entered in the "Email" field appears to be invalid, please edit it and try again
Get the Latest News Delivered to Your Inbox

A Guide to Building Credit and Increasing Your Credit Scores

When it comes to credit, there’s some good news. The average credit score in the United States has been steadily rising in recent years, coming in at 715 in 2023. That may be because, today, consumers not only have more ways to access their credit reports and scores than ever before but also because there are an increasing number of options that Americans have for building credit in the first...

2024 SoFi Checking and Savings Review

Ever since I started taking an interest in the FinTech sector, one company whose name I’ve seen pop up over and over again is SoFi. Lately it seems as though that theme has been sent into overdrive as the company has not only become a household name thanks to its stadium naming rights deal but also because of the company’s continued product expansions. The most interesting development in my mind...
Brim logo

Brim Financial Raises $85 Million as It Eyes Global Expansion

Toronto-based FinTech infrastructure startup Brim Financial has announced a new funding round. About the round: Brim has revealed an $85 million round. The Series C was led by EDC Investments while new investor Vistara Growth and returning investors White Owl Group, Epic Ventures, and Zions Bank also participated. To date, the company has now raised $110 million including a Series B in 2021. According to Brim, the latest funding will...
Chase Freedom Flex card

Chase Reveals Q2 2024 Freedom 5%(+) Bonus Categories

Chase has announced its bonus category picks for the second quarter of 2024 — including some interesting twists. About the categories: As April approaches, Chase has revealed what categories Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders can earn bonuses on. From April 1st through June 30th, customers can earn 5% (or more) in three categories: Amazon.com, Hotels, and Restaurants. Similar to how Chase embraced a "New Year, New Me" theme last quarter,...

FedEx Announces Winners of 11th Annual 2023 Small Business Grant Contest

Nearly three months after the entry period ended, FedEx has announced the winners of its 11th annual Small Business Grant Content. This year's event saw more than $300,000 in funds going to a variety of small businesses across the nation. Last month, the company revealed 100 finalists, with that list now being narrowed down to just 10 winners. This year's grand prize winners included KindVR, The Cupcake Collection, Up In...