Section
Finance & Economy
Markets, rates, jobs, and the forces moving the U.S. economy.
Big Tech's Earnings Week Delivers Mixed Signals on the AI Spending Boom
Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon all reported within days of each other, and investors rewarded strong cloud growth while scrutinizing the mounting bills for artificial intelligence.
U.S. Economy Grew a Slower-Than-Expected 1.5% in the Second Quarter
The advance estimate showed growth cooling from the first quarter's pace, as gains in consumer spending and investment were tempered by weaker government outlays and rising imports.
A Divided Fed Holds Rates Steady as Three Officials Dissent in Favor of a Hike
The Federal Reserve left its benchmark rate unchanged in a 9-3 vote, with three policymakers pushing to raise rates — a rare show of unified dissent that unsettled markets.
Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady as Inflation Cools Toward Target
Policymakers left the benchmark rate unchanged and signaled patience, waiting for more data before considering cuts later in the year.
The Job Market Cools Without Cracking, Reviving Soft-Landing Hopes
Hiring has slowed to a steadier pace and unemployment remains low, a combination economists once thought difficult to achieve.
Stocks Near Record Highs as the Rally Broadens Beyond Big Tech
Gains that were once concentrated in a handful of giants have spread to smaller companies and overlooked sectors, a healthier sign for the market.
The Housing Market Thaws Slowly as Rates Ease and Inventory Creeps Up
More listings and slightly lower mortgage rates are nudging a frozen market back to life, though affordability remains a steep hurdle.
Grocery Prices Stabilize After Years of Sticker Shock at the Register
Food inflation has cooled sharply, though prices remain well above where they stood a few years ago, a gap shoppers still feel.
Economists Debate Whether AI Will Deliver a Lasting Productivity Boost
Early evidence of AI-driven efficiency is real but uneven, and economists disagree on how much it will lift the broader economy.