Mar 11, 2025

Remember tariff exclusions?

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They were a big deal for businesses that imported specialty steel and aluminum goods back in 2018. Plus, stagflation and rising cocoa prices.

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Small businesses rethink hiring plans amid uncertain economy

by Justin Ho

Mar 11, 2025

Some owners who had planned to staff up are waiting to see how things shake out with tariffs and consumer spending.

Some owners say they're having an easier time finding qualified workers, but a cloudy economic outlook could stop them from hiring.

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Should you take corporate forecasts on performance seriously?

by Matt Levin

Mar 11, 2025

Corporate guidance is all about setting expectations. Why set them high when you can underpromise and overdeliver?

Generally, if a company’s earnings come in lower than expected, the stock price goes down. If they beat expectations, the price goes up.

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When inflation and recession gang up on the economy

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Mar 11, 2025

Uncertainty about tariff policy poses risk of both rising prices and high unemployment, says economist Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan.

Uncertainty and recession fears have taken a toll on the stock market, with the Dow plunging Monday and Tuesday.

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Home improvement stores are adding AI to assist with your DIY

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Mar 11, 2025

Home Depot and Lowe's are using chatbots to mimic in-store help, but that's still a work in progress.

Home improvement AI chatbots mean DIYers don't have to do it all alone. But these tools are still prone to errors and incorrect information.

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Trade War 2.0

In Trump's last trade war, tariff exclusions offered businesses some relief

by Kristin Schwab

Mar 11, 2025

The opaque application process and random approvals confused many. It’s unclear if there will be a formal exclusion process this time.

"There was a lot of randomness" when it came to which exclusion applications were approved or denied for the 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, says Dinesh Hasija of Augusta University.

Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP via Getty Images

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Amid rising cocoa prices, chocolate sellers prepare for Easter

by Nicholas Guiang

Chocolate prices nearly tripled in 2024 and have continued to rise in 2025. But with Easter falling later this year, chocolate sellers have time to prepare.

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The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Associate Producer I

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

Nicholas Guiang Assistant Producer

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