economy
Arrows Up … and Down (Editorial)
The state has seen some positive economic developments, and some negative legal ones.
![Shea, Evan and Chris Mathews bought National Custom Hollow Metal in 2007 to run as a family. [Jason Burt]](https://dqndh7utxx63f.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JBP_2490_opt-300x194.jpg)
The $10 Million Mark (Editorial)
Reaching $10 million in annual revenue is an odds-defying feat that should demand respect. read more >
Poll: Americans End 2024 With Grim Economic Outlook, but Republicans are Optimistic
WASHINGTON (AP) — The unemployment rate is healthy and the stock market is up, but Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump’s election victory, according to a new poll. Republicans, […] read more >
by Associated Press -
Walmart’s Warning (Editorial)
Businesspeople need to prepare for potentially higher prices and supply chain disruptions. read more >
US Growth Slowed Sharply Last Quarter to 1.6% Pace as High Rates Pressured Economy
Last quarter's GDP snapped a streak of six straight quarters of at least 2% annual growth. The 1.6% rate of expansion was also the slowest since the economy actually shrank in the first and second quarters of 2022. read more >
by Associated Press -
Working to Improve Child Care in Arkansas (Angela Duran Commentary)
Arkansas businesses have a role to play in ensuring every child reaches its full potential. read more >
by Angela Duran -
What Recession? Forecasters Raise Expectations for US Economy in 2024
Economists also more than doubled their estimates for the number of jobs gained across the economy this year. read more >
by Associated Press -
Robots and Happy Workers: Productivity Surge Helps Explain US Economy’s Surprising Resilience
The productivity boom marks a shift from the pre-pandemic years, when annual productivity growth averaged a tepid 1.5%. read more >
by Associated Press -
Inflation Slowed Further in December, Bringing ‘Soft Landing’ Into Focus
Friday’s government report showed that prices rose just 0.2% from November to December, a pace consistent with pre-pandemic levels and barely above the Fed's 2% annual target. read more >
by Associated Press -
Inflation Pressures Put Powell in Spotlight Before Congress
Just a month ago, the economy appeared to be cooling and inflation steadily declining. But a spate of government data has since painted a very different picture. read more >
by Associated Press -
IMF Upgrades Outlook for the Global Economy in 2023
It now expects the world economy to grow 2.9% this year. That forecast is better than the 2.7% expansion for 2023 that the IMF predicted in October. read more >
by Associated Press -
Central Arkansas Job Growth Above Pre-Pandemic Levels
“There are signs of structural economic change underway,” Metroplan said in a December report, pointing to the area’s manufacturing and logistics sectors in particular. read more >
US Economy Slowed But Still Grew at 2.9% Rate Last Quarter
Most economists think the economy will slow further in the current quarter and slide into at least a mild recession by midyear. read more >
by Associated Press -
Economic Concerns Top Public’s List of Priorities
Health care, including costs, is the second-most frequently mentioned priority. read more >
World Bank: Recession a Looming Threat for Global Economy
Though the United States might avoid a recession this year — the World Bank predicts the U.S. economy will eke out growth of 0.5% — global weakness will likely pose another headwind for America's businesses and consumers, on top of high prices and more expensive borrowing rates. read more >
by Associated Press -
US Economy Grew 3.2% in Q3, an Upgrade From Earlier Estimate
The rise in gross domestic product — the economy's output in goods and services — marked a return to growth after consecutive drops in the January-March and April-June periods. read more >
by Associated Press -
Consumer Confidence Bounces Back, Ending Year on High Note
It's a sharp rebound, pushing the index to its highest level since April. read more >
by Associated Press -
US Economic Growth in Q3 Revised to 2.9%, Higher Than Expected
Last quarter's rise in the U.S. gross domestic product — the economy's total output of goods and services — followed two straight quarters of contraction. read more >
by Associated Press -
US Consumer Confidence Falls in November for 2nd Month
Despite the negative outlook, however, most Americans — particularly those with higher incomes — are still spending. read more >
by Associated Press -
Business Groups Urge Congress to Block Potential Rail Strike
The business groups led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and National Retail Federation said even a short-term strike would have a tremendous impact and the economic pain would start to be felt even before the Dec. 9 strike deadline. read more >
by Associated Press -
Denise Thomas Joins Board of St. Louis Fed’s Little Rock Branch
Thomas will fill the unexpired portion of a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2023. read more >
Sign up for Daily E-news
Sign Up
THIS WEEK’S EDITION
This Week’s Stories
View Digital Edition
