Support our non-partisan non-profit newsroom 💜 Donate now

Corporate profits have been trending down. That's what the Federal Reserve wants to see.

Nov 28, 2023
It means interest rate hikes are having the intended effect. Tapering consumer demand and high labor costs are weighing on earnings.
Corporate profits are feeling the effects of high interest rates and labor costs as well as weaker consumer demand.
Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

What do UPS earnings say about where companies are putting their priorities?

Aug 8, 2023
The company posts a revenue dip and says the pay levels in the new labor agreement with the Teamsters are higher than it had planned.
UPS reported that daily package volume slid nearly 10% in the second quarter as customers looked elsewhere amid concerns over a potential work stoppage.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Do corporations take advantage of inflation with a “profit-price spiral”? 

Jul 28, 2023
You might’ve heard of the “wage-price spiral.” Does a similar phenomenon exist when it comes to corporate profits?
As inflation has risen, experts have debated whether corporate greed is responsible.
MicroStockHub/Getty Images

What does the decline in corporate profits say about the economy?

May 25, 2023
Profits fell for the second quarter in a row, partly due to Fed rate hikes. Whether it’s a good thing depends on your role in the economy.
Profits are falling, but the stock market is "not freaked out," says Bruce Sacerdote of Dartmouth.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
One route to avoiding layoffs? "If businesses accept lower profit margins," said Wells Fargo economist Sarah House.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Corporate profits are up 10% over the same quarter last year

Dec 22, 2022
Here's a look at why American companies are making more money, and how they're spending it.
"Consumer demand has really held up much better than anyone really expected," said George Pearkes of Bespoke Investment Group.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

What it might mean if Trump succeeds in cutting the business tax rate

Mar 16, 2017
President Donald Trump reminded Fox News’ Tucker Carlson last night that he aims to bring taxes “way down” on businesses, from 35 percent to 15 percent. But a lot of companies don’t pay 35 percent, because they take deductions and exclusions to shave their tax bill. A drop in the overall tax rate could make […]

For public good, not for profit.

Kicking the Highway Trust Fund can

Jun 24, 2015
The Highway Trust Fund runs out of money this summer.

McDonald's wants to serve up a giant turnaround

May 4, 2015
The company's huge size and long history complicate its efforts to keep up

Corporate earnings: up. Hiring: not so much.

Aug 8, 2014
Corporate America shows profit growth, but global troubles cloud the future.