The New Normal The US economy is now a three-tiered beast, says economist Heather Long. It’s no longer just a simple rich vs poor, or ‘K-shaped’, scenario. The ‘E-shaped’ economy is here, and it’s a mess. The middle class is

Continue ReadingEconomy Hits New Low: Middle Class Spends with Anxiety

Jobs Market Sees Unexpected Downturn It’s not what economists were expecting: the US economy lost a whopping 92,000 jobs in February. They’d forecast a gain of 60,000 jobs, but it looks like they were way off. So, what went wrong?

Continue ReadingUS Economy Takes a Hit, Loses 92,000 Jobs

China’s Got a Problem China just set its lowest annual growth target on record – a paltry 4.5% to 5%. That’s a downgrade from the ‘around 5%’ target they’ve been clinging to for the past three years. It’s not exactly

Continue ReadingChina’s Growth Hits a Wall

Private Companies Added a Whopping 63,000 Jobs in February It’s not all good news, though. January’s numbers were revised to a paltry 11,000 additions, according to ADP. That’s a big drop from what we initially thought. So, What’s Going On

Continue ReadingJobs Report: Not Exactly What We Hoped For

Panic at the Pump It’s official: the US strike on Iran has energy analysts freaking out about a potential oil supply shock. If the Strait of Hormuz gets blocked for an extended period, we’re talking $100 oil – and that’s

Continue ReadingOil Prices Set to Skyrocket

Gas Prices Plummet in the Midwest It’s official: Midwest gas prices have dropped significantly from last week. Don’t expect to break out the champagne just yet, but it’s a start. What’s Behind the Price Drop? Let’s get straight to it:

Continue ReadingMidwest Gas Prices Just Took a Nose Dive

No Rate Cut Rush Christopher J. Waller, a Federal Reserve governor, says he’s willing to hit pause on rate cuts in March if the labor market keeps stabilizing. It’s a big deal, since the Fed’s been slashing rates like they’re

Continue ReadingFed Governor Hits the Brakes on Rate Cuts

Inflation’s Sudden Drop Inflation just hit a nearly five-year low, thanks to plummeting gas prices and a slowdown in housing costs. Friday’s report is a welcome surprise, but let’s not forget: we’ve been paying through the nose for food, gas,

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Income Inequality Exposed One state has seen its typical household income skyrocket nearly 80% over the past 50 years, while another state’s income has taken a nosedive. It’s a staggering difference that highlights the country’s growing wealth gap. The Biggest

Continue ReadingHousehold Income: The Winners and Losers

Americans Aren’t Buying It It’s not rocket science: when Americans say something’s unaffordable, they’re usually talking about the basics – housing, healthcare, and food. Our poll shows the young are particularly fed up. It’s no surprise, given the state of

Continue ReadingWhat ‘Affordability’ Really Means to Americans