The central bank is widely expected to lower interest rates this year. But with growth and consumer spending chugging along, explaining it may take some work.
Category: Consumer Behavior
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After China Evergrande, Real Estate Crisis ‘Has Not Touched Bottom’
The forced liquidation of China Evergrande epitomizes the sector’s struggles: Nationwide, sales are down and millions of homes have been paid for but not delivered.
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Economists Predicted a Recession. So Far They’ve Been Wrong.
A widely predicted recession never showed up. Now, economists are assessing what the unexpected resilience tells us about the future.
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U.S. Economy Grew at 3.3% Rate in Latest Quarter
The increase in gross domestic product, while slower than in the previous period, showed the resilience of the recovery from the pandemic’s upheaval.
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Hybrid Cars Enjoy a Renaissance as All-Electric Sales Slow
Automakers like Ford, Kia and Toyota are offering more hybrid options to appeal to buyers who aren’t ready for fully electric vehicles.
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Apple Will Discount iPhones by $70 in China Starting Thursday
Facing a weak consumer appetite and fierce competition from domestic rivals amid US-China tensions, a typically discount-wary Apple is offering a 4-day sale.
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U.S. Added 216,000 Jobs in December, Outpacing Forecasts
Hiring has throttled back from 2021 and 2022, but was impressive last year by longer-term standards.
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Holiday Spending Increased, Defying Fears of a Decline
While the pace of growth slowed, spending stayed strong because of robust job growth and strong wage gains.
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Americans May Be Taking on Too Much Pay Later ‘Phantom Debt’
Buying mattresses, clothes and other goods on installment plans has propped up spending, but economists worry that such loans could put some people at risk.
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What Social Trends Taught Us About the 2023 Economy
From girl dinners to ChatGPT, a look back at the trends that broke the internet and taught us about the American economy this year.
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Prices for Some Goods Are Actually Falling This Holiday Season
As inflation slows, prices for some physical goods are falling outright, which could lift consumers’ spirits.
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Is Jerome Powell’s Fed Pulling Off a Soft Landing?
It’s too soon to declare victory, but the economic outlook seems sunnier than it did a year ago, and many economists are predicting a surprising win.