US Treasury secretary says trade war with China is not ‘sustainable’
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Tuesday speech that the ongoing tariffs showdown against China is unsustainable and expects a “de-escalation” in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. But in a private speech in Washington for JPMorgan Chase, Bessent also cautioned that talks between the United States […]
Wall Street rallies to recover some of its sharp losses as the dollar and US bond market steady
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rallying Tuesday after companies reported fatter profits than expected, and other U.S. investments are also steadying a day after falling sharply on worries about President Donald Trump’s trade war and his attacks on the head of the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 was 2% higher in morning trading and on track to […]
Trump renews attack on Federal Reserve Chair Powell
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump repeated his attacks Monday against the chair of the Federal Reserve, demanding that the central bank lower its key interest rate to boost the economy. Trump called Jerome Powell “a major loser” and said that energy and grocery prices are “substantially lower” and “there is virtually No Inflation.” Yet Trump said the […]
Trump gripes about interest rates and says Fed Chair Powell’s ‘termination cannot come fast enough’
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump slammed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday, reiterating his frustration that the Fed has not aggressively cut interest rates and saying that the central bank leader’s “termination cannot come fast enough.” Trump hinted at moving to fire Powell, whose term does not expire until May 2026. The Republican president’s broadsi[...]
Average US rate on a 30-year mortgage falls to 6.62%, easing for the third week in a row
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. declined for the third week in a row, another positive move for prospective homebuyers during what’s traditionally the housing market’s busy season. The rate fell to 6.62% from 6.64% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.88%. The […]
Will the tariffs lead to a recession? Here’s how to know if we’re in one
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s sharp tariff hikes last week have sent the stock market into a tailspin, raised alarm bells among Wall Street executives, and heightened many economists’ worries that the U.S. could tip into recession. The tariffs, set to take effect Wednesday, include a 10% blanket duty on nearly all countries and additional import taxes on […]
US consumers remained cautious about spending last month as inflation ticked higher
WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation picked up last month and consumers barely raised their spending, signs that the economy was already cooling even before most tariffs were imposed. Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices increased 2.5% in February from a year earlier, matching January’s annual pace. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, cor[...]
Barkin: Trump policies are creating feelings of instability
Changes in federal government policy have created a sense of instability, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin said Thursday when discussing the year’s economic outlook. During a lecture at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, he said that at the end of 2024, businesses were “overwhelmingly optimistic” and conditions looked “rosy.” […]
Stock market today: Wall Street drifts on signals US economy remains solid, for now at least
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes edged lower Thursday following another reminder that big, unsettling policy changes are underway because of President Donald Trump, along with more signals suggesting the U.S. economy remains solid for now. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% after flipping between modest gains and losses through the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped […]
Average US rate on a 30-year mortgage rises slightly for the second week in a row
Associated Press (AP) — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. rose slightly for the second week in a row, a modest setback for prospective home shoppers as the spring homebuying season ramps up. The rate rose to 6.67% from 6.65% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate […]
Federal Reserve keeps interest rate unchanged, sees slower growth, slightly higher inflation ahead
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday and signaled that it still expects to cut rates twice this year, though more policymakers forecast fewer cuts. The Fed also now expects the economy to grow more slowly this year and next than it did three months ago, according to a […]
Average US rate on a 30-year mortgage edges higher, ending a seven-week slide
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged higher this week, ending a seven-week slide that helped ease borrowing costs for home shoppers just in time for the spring homebuying season. The average rate rose to 6.65% from 6.63% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday, March 13. A year ago, […]