Trends

US Inflation Picked Up In December but Underlying Price Pressures Eased

The report presents a mixed picture, with consumers still grappling with high prices for essentials such as groceries, housing, and some services such as air fares.

by Associated Press - January 15, 2025, 10:18am

US Agency Forecasts Falling Oil, Gasoline Prices

January 14, 2025, 1:31pm

The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects lower oil and gasoline prices for 2025 and 2026, along with rising electricity consumption and increased solar power generation.

Surging Job Market Could Prove Costly for Households and Businesses as Odds of Quick Rate Cuts Fade

January 13, 2025, 11:36am

Fed officials signaled in December that they planned to be more cautious about rate cuts this year. They now project just two rate reductions in 2025, down from the four they envisioned back in September.

The Average Cyber Ransom Payment Tops $479K

January 13, 2025, 12:00am

In the third quarter of 2024, the ransom payment for cyberattacks in the United States averaged more than $479,000, down from $850,000 in the third quarter of 2023, according to […]

Real Estate

Average Mortgage Rate Inches Up to 6.93% for Fourth Straight Increase

Interest rates have been climbing since the Federal Reserve signaled last month that it expects to raise its benchmark rate just twice this year, down from the four cuts it forecast in September. read more >

by Associated Press - January 9, 2025, 11:59am

A sign advertising open positions at a Walmart in Olney, Illinois

US Applications for Jobless Claims Fall to 201,000, Lowest Level In Nearly a Year

The four-week average of claims, which evens out the week-to-week ups and downs, fell by 10,250 to 213,000. read more >

by Associated Press - January 9, 2025, 9:39am

US New Vehicle Sales Rose 2.7% Last Year as Prices and Interest Rates Dropped a Little

Industry analysts say discounts such as rebates and low-interest financing should get even better as 2025 rolls along, with the biggest deals to be had at dealerships representing automakers that had trouble selling in 2024. read more >

by Associated Press - January 7, 2025, 10:37am

Banking & Finance / Business Services / Construction

US Job Openings Rise Unexpectedly to 8.1 Million In November, a Sign the Labor Market Is Resilient

Openings were up in professional and business services, a broad category that includes managerial and technical workers, and in finance and insurance. read more >

by Associated Press - January 7, 2025, 10:31am

Business Services / Construction / Media & Marketing

Arkansas Companies Add Nontraditional Workplace Benefits

Arkansas companies like ECCI and Everon are among those enhancing employee engagement with innovative activities, from go-kart races to pet-friendly offices, boosting retention and workplace culture. read more >

by Chloe McGehee - January 6, 2025, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Real Estate

Average Mortgage Rate Hits 6.91%

The rate rose to 6.91% from 6.85% last week, reflecting a rise in the bond yields that lenders use as a guide to price mortgages. read more >

by Associated Press - January 2, 2025, 11:41am

Government & Politics / Media & Marketing

US Unemployment Claims Fall to Lowest Level Since March

The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims dropped by 9,000 to 211,000 last week. read more >

by Associated Press - January 2, 2025, 11:03am

Media & Marketing / Public Companies / Restaurants & Food

Value-Seekers Drove 2024’s Retail Trends and Dead Ends

Shoppers and restaurant patrons in the U.S. were choosy about where and how to spend their money as they wrestled with high housing and food prices. read more >

by Associated Press - January 2, 2025, 10:13am

Banking & Finance / Business Services / Construction

Employee Handbook Guidance for Remote Work, AI and More (In The Workplace 2025)

The start of a new year is the perfect time to review your employee handbook to make sure that it covers the essentials and to address any changes in employment laws or new business needs. read more >

by Troy Price and Regina Young - January 2, 2025, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Business Services / Education

Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace (In The Workplace 2025)

Whether your company is ready to implement AI tools or not, you need a policy and a strategy. read more >

by MaryScott Polk Timmis - January 2, 2025, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Retail / Small Business

Holiday Shoppers Increased Spending by 3.8% Despite Higher Prices

Retailers felt more pressure this year due to the shorter holiday shopping period, and also from a presidential election that captured the attention of many consumers. read more >

by Associated Press - January 1, 2025, 7:46pm

Real Estate

Average Mortgage Rate Rises to Highest Level Since Late November

The average mortgage rate rose to 6.72% this week, now higher than it was a year ago, when it averaged 6.67%. read more >

by Associated Press - December 19, 2024, 11:54am

Real Estate

US Home Sales Hit Fastest Pace Since March With More Properties Up for Sale

Despite increasing in November and October, home sales are still running below last year's pace, when they sank to a nearly 30-year low. read more >

by Associated Press - December 19, 2024, 9:58am

Banking & Finance / Government & Politics / Investments

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 - December 17, 2024, 10:33am

Banking & Finance / Restaurants & Food / Retail

Retail Sales Rose at Healthy Pace Last Month In Latest Sign of US Economy’s Health

Sales jumped 2.6% at auto dealers, driving most of the gain. Some of that demand likely reflected a need for new cars in parts of the southeast slammed by Hurricane Helene in October. read more >

by Associated Press - December 17, 2024, 10:22am

Banking & Finance / Government & Politics / Investments

Federal Reserve Is Likely to Slow Its Rate Cuts With Inflation Pressures Still Elevated

The problem is that while inflation has dropped far below its peak of 9.1% in mid-2022, it remains stubbornly above the Fed's 2% target. read more >

by Associated Press - December 16, 2024, 9:35am

Banking & Finance / Government & Politics / Investments

US Inflation Ticked Up Last Month as Some Price Pressures Remain Persistent

Wednesday's inflation figures from the Labor Department are the final major piece of data that Federal Reserve officials will consider before they meet next week to decide on interest rates. read more >

by Associated Press - December 11, 2024, 11:36am

Banking & Finance

Arkansas Accountants’ Annual Pay Averages $70,290

The annual mean wage of accountants and auditors in Arkansas was $70,290 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That compares with $70,660 in May […] read more >

by Arkansas Business Staff - December 6, 2024, 11:02am

Health Care

US Added a Strong 227,000 Jobs In November In Bounce-Back From October Slowdown

Friday’s report from the Labor Department provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom. read more >

by Associated Press - December 6, 2024, 8:05am

Business Services / Small Business

Work-Life Balance Isn’t Working for Women. Why?

A new report suggests that competing demands of work and home comprise part of the problem. read more >

by Associated Press - December 6, 2024, 7:23am

Industry News

News & Analysis

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Regions

People

Lists

Events & Nominations

Trends

US Inflation Picked Up In December but Underlying Price Pressures Eased

US Agency Forecasts Falling Oil, Gasoline Prices

Surging Job Market Could Prove Costly for Households and Businesses as Odds of Quick Rate Cuts Fade

The Average Cyber Ransom Payment Tops $479K

Average Mortgage Rate Inches Up to 6.93% for Fourth Straight Increase

US Applications for Jobless Claims Fall to 201,000, Lowest Level In Nearly a Year

US New Vehicle Sales Rose 2.7% Last Year as Prices and Interest Rates Dropped a Little

US Job Openings Rise Unexpectedly to 8.1 Million In November, a Sign the Labor Market Is Resilient

Arkansas Companies Add Nontraditional Workplace Benefits

Average Mortgage Rate Hits 6.91%

US Unemployment Claims Fall to Lowest Level Since March

Value-Seekers Drove 2024’s Retail Trends and Dead Ends

Employee Handbook Guidance for Remote Work, AI and More (In The Workplace 2025)

Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace (In The Workplace 2025)

Holiday Shoppers Increased Spending by 3.8% Despite Higher Prices

Average Mortgage Rate Rises to Highest Level Since Late November

US Home Sales Hit Fastest Pace Since March With More Properties Up for Sale

Poll: Americans End 2024 With Grim Economic Outlook, but Republicans are Optimistic

Retail Sales Rose at Healthy Pace Last Month In Latest Sign of US Economy’s Health

Federal Reserve Is Likely to Slow Its Rate Cuts With Inflation Pressures Still Elevated

US Inflation Ticked Up Last Month as Some Price Pressures Remain Persistent

Arkansas Accountants’ Annual Pay Averages $70,290

US Added a Strong 227,000 Jobs In November In Bounce-Back From October Slowdown

Work-Life Balance Isn’t Working for Women. Why?

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