economic uncertainty

Disruptive geopolitical events, like the arrest of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro by the U.S., often see investors jump into bonds or sell off a bunch of stocks temporarily. Neither of those happened.

One question hanging in the air right now: How might the U.S. attack on Venezuela affect the value of the dollar?

The latest survey from the National Federation of Independent Business shows that even with tariffs and inflation woes, small business owners are feeling good.

Unemployment, job turnover, and unemployment benefit applications are low. Employers in many industries are in low-hire, low-fire mode.

“It's not the change of tariffs,” said KPMG U.S. CEO Tim Walsh, “but the fact that tariffs are changing, and then sometimes changing again.”

In its quarterly report, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development lifted its growth forecast for the U.S. to 1.8% for the year.

Experiences vary by region, but many say they're trying to avoid passing on tariff costs to their consumers.

It’s not just tariff uncertainty making things more complicated for builders. Higher interest and mortgage rates are also in the mix.

New business formation surged early in the pandemic and has stayed high ever since.

 Affordability is still the main issue. But uncertainty in the economy is also playing a big role.