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Recent immigrants have filled labor gaps, boosted job creation, experts say

Mar 15, 2024
There has been a wave of migration to the U.S. — legal and not — since 2022. Many who entered are finding and keeping jobs.
In 2022 and 2023, 5.9 million people migrated to the U.S., according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Import prices rose more slowly in February. That could help bring down inflation.

Mar 15, 2024
The Labor Department reported that the price of imported goods rose 0.3% in February compared to 0.8% the month before.
Prices at the import level can affect prices that show up in other inflation data.
Julia Nikhinson/AFP via Getty Images

Chile cuts its working week to from 45 to 40 hours

Mar 13, 2024
Chile has approved a law saying that businesses need to cut their employees' hours from 45 hours to 40 hours a week to help give everyone a better work-life balance.
Employees at the company office of Home Mobili in Santiago, Chile.
MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images

Consumers might wish for prices to drop, but here's why deflation is not a good thing

Mar 12, 2024
Most of the time deflation is a signal of a struggling economy. Disinflation — when prices still increase, just more slowly — is the goal.
Once prices go up, it’s unusual for them to drop.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Even as hourly wages outpace inflation, rising prices take a bite

Mar 12, 2024
It’s been harder for lower- and middle-income households to afford higher food, rent and gas prices without getting into debt.
“We see higher wage growth since the recovery. But if people are working less, their total earnings are still less than inflation,” said ADP's Liv Wang.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Is it possible that the economy has landed softly enough?

Mar 11, 2024
Fed Chairman Powell told a congressional committee not to expect a victory lap when and if the Fed decides it has finally beaten inflation.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks before a House Financial Services Committee hearing on monetary policy on March 6.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

What do falling inflation and rising incomes mean for consumer spending?

Feb 29, 2024
The January PCE report showed inflation easing further but still significant. Moderation in spending could also continue, analysts say.
Wage growth was resilient in January, but Social Security and other factors added to income gains.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Steady GDP growth sets US apart from peer countries

Feb 28, 2024
The U.S. economy has been growing at a steady clip while many others are faltering.
Despite interest rate hikes to combat inflation, the U.S. economy has grown for six quarters in a row.
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This might be the economy that liberals wanted, but do most voters feel the same?

Feb 27, 2024
If people don’t feel the strength of the economy, Democrats may have a problem this election season, says Victoria Guida at Politico.
President Biden has low approval ratings despite vigorous economic growth, low unemployment and a strong stock market.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

"I think our fear of high inflation is well warranted," Minneapolis Fed president says

Feb 21, 2024
Neel Kashkari weighs in on the state of the economy and what's left to bring inflation down to the Fed's 2% target.
"I do the grocery shopping for my family. I started doing that when the pandemic hit, and I still have sticker shock," says Neel Kashkari, Minneapolis Fed president.
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