Latest Economy News

Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertainty

Dec. 20, 2024 07:02 AM EST

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The smooth economy that Donald Trump was poised to inherit suddenly looks a bit rockier — with critics saying the president-elect is contributing to the uncertainty. The Dow Jones stock index essentially ended Thursday flat after having posted 10 days...

Stock market today: Wall Street ends little changed after giving up a big morning gain

Dec. 19, 2024 17:56 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — An early rebound for U.S. stocks on Thursday petered out by the end of the day, leaving indexes close to flat. The S&P 500 edged down by 0.1% following Wednesday’s tumble of 2.9% when the Federal Reserve said it may deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next...

U.S. economy grows at 3.1% pace in third quarter, an upgrade from previous estimate

Dec. 19, 2024 09:30 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American economy grew at a healthy 3.1% annual clip from July through September, propelled by vigorous consumer spending and an uptick in exports, the government said in an upgrade to its previous estimate. Third-quarter growth in U.S. gross domestic product...

Bank of England warns of 'heightened uncertainty' as it keeps interest rates on hold

Dec. 19, 2024 07:34 AM EST

LONDON (AP) — The U.K.’s central bank warned Thursday of “heightened uncertainty" as it kept interest rates on hold after inflation moved further above target, even at a time when the British economy is flatlining at best. The Bank of England’s nine-member Monetary Policy...

Macao's casino boom brings wealth but at a cost, 25 years since China's takeover

Dec. 18, 2024 23:20 PM EST

MACAO (AP) — When Portugal returned its colony Macao to China in 1999, coffee shop owner Daniel Chao was a first grader living in a different world. Since then his sleepy hometown has transformed into a bustling gaming hub lined with glittering casinos. Its once quiet streets are...

US stocks fall sharply and Dow tumbles 1,100 points after the Fed hints at just 2 rate cuts for 2025

Dec. 18, 2024 19:52 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tumbled to one of their worst days of the year after the Federal Reserve hinted Wednesday it may deliver fewer shots of adrenaline for the U.S. economy in 2025 than earlier thought. The S&P 500 fell 2.9%, just shy of its biggest loss for the year,...

Brazil's currency drops to weakest level yet as Lula's fiscal measures debated

Dec. 18, 2024 18:57 PM EST

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s real on Wednesday fell to its weakest level against the dollar since the currency was introduced in 1994, undercut by investors' frustration with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's efforts to rein in government spending. A bill backed by Lula that...

Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

Dec. 18, 2024 16:31 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday by a quarter-point — its third cut this year — but also signaled that it expects to reduce rates more slowly next year than it previously envisioned, mostly because of still-elevated inflation. The...

Ontario's premier says Trump's tariffs would be a disaster for US markets

Dec. 18, 2024 14:44 PM EST

TORONTO (AP) — The premier of Canada's most populous province said Tuesday President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on all Canadian products would be a "disaster" that would hurt U.S. stock markets. Ontario Premier Doug Ford also said in an interview with...

Nigerians press for solar jobs and electricity, with little success

Dec. 18, 2024 10:09 AM EST

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In sun-drenched Nigeria, 14 new solar farms were supposed to jumpstart a meager solar industry and generate huge amounts of power, about one-fifth as much as the country’s entire electric grid offers on a good day. “We were very excited because we were...