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Image for European Tariffs To Hit American Whiskey Makers Hard

European Tariffs To Hit American Whiskey Makers Hard

American whiskey makers have been worried about the threat of tariffs from Europe, but now those tariffs are becoming a reality. The European Union will start taxing a range of U.S. imports, including cranberries, peanut butter, playing... More of this article »
Image for Gas Costing Americans $1 Billion More This Memorial Day Weekend

Gas Costing Americans $1 Billion More This Memorial Day Weekend

Rising gas prices are crimping household budgets across the country. In the past two weeks alone, gas has jumped at least 12 cents per gallon. Over the past year, the national average price of gas has increased by 31 percent, according... More of this article »
Image for Gas Prices On The Rise Across America

Gas Prices On The Rise Across America

Crude oil prices are at the highest level in more than three years and are expected to keep climbing, increasing the cost of gasoline across the country. According to the Oil Price Information Service, the average gas price in the... More of this article »
Image for U.S. Economy Grows More Than Expected

U.S. Economy Grows More Than Expected

The American economy grew more than expected in the first quarter of the year. According to the Commerce Department, the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.3 percent in the first three months of 2018. Wall Street analysts’ had forecast... More of this article »
Image for Trump Administration Initiates Review Of Welfare Programs

Trump Administration Initiates Review Of Welfare Programs

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for a reevaluation of the nation’s welfare programs. The executive order says: “The Federal Government should do everything within its authority to empower individuals... More of this article »
Image for China Imposing Tariffs On 128 U.S. Exports

China Imposing Tariffs On 128 U.S. Exports

The Chinese government says it will immediately impose tariffs as high as 25 percent on 128 U.S. products. On Sunday, a Twitter post from the English-language “People’s Daily” read: “China imposes tariffs on 128 items of imports... More of this article »
Image for New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Coming Soon

New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Coming Soon

President Trump has announced that a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum would be imposed by his administration. A tariff is a tax placed on a particular class of imported goods. The new... More of this article »
Image for Hike In Gas Tax Under Consideration

Hike In Gas Tax Under Consideration

In a closed-door meeting on infrastructure with members of both parties, President Trump tried to persuade his fellow Republicans that raising the gas tax should be an option for funding his infrastructure goals. The government needs... More of this article »
Image for Senate Leaders Agree On Spending Deal

Senate Leaders Agree On Spending Deal

Reports have emerged that Senate leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement on the federal budget. Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, and Chuck Schumer of New York, his Democratic counterpart, have apparently... More of this article »
Image for Jerome Powell To Succeed Janet Yellen As Fed Chair

Jerome Powell To Succeed Janet Yellen As Fed Chair

Jerome Powell has been confirmed as the 16th chairman of the Federal Reserve. The post is considered the most powerful economic position in government. Powell’s term runs for four years. Powell, 64, was nominated for the post... More of this article »
Image for Latest Employment Figures Show Economy Going Strong

Latest Employment Figures Show Economy Going Strong

The latest snapshot of the American economy was released on Friday. The Labor Department’s official hiring and unemployment figures for November show that 228,000 jobs were added last month. The number beat the estimates of Wall... More of this article »
Image for Economic Outlook Bright According To Fed Chair Yellen

Economic Outlook Bright According To Fed Chair Yellen

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen has sketched out a bright outlook for the U.S. economy in coming months at a seminar in Washington. Yellen said in her prepared comments that “risks to global growth have receded somewhat” and... More of this article »
Image for Prices Of Homes Rise The Highest In 33 Months

Prices Of Homes Rise The Highest In 33 Months

Data released on Tuesday indicates that home prices in the United States recorded the biggest annual increase since 2014. The price increase is, however, not at the level that was witnessed in the housing bubble of the mid-2000s when... More of this article »
Image for Trump Administration Working To Prevent Chinese Takeover Of Westinghouse

Trump Administration Working To Prevent Chinese Takeover Of Westinghouse

President Donald Trump’s administration is leaving nothing to chance as it tries to find a buyer for the U.S. nuclear engineering firm that has slipped into bankruptcy, Westinghouse, before it falls into the hands of the Chinese.... More of this article »
Image for The United States Private Sector Added Nearly 300,000 Jobs Last Month

The United States Private Sector Added Nearly 300,000 Jobs Last Month

The Roseland, NJ-based ADP Research Institute has just released its US employment report, and apparently there is good news to be celebrated. According to the report, businesses in the United States added roughly 298,000 jobs in the... More of this article »
Image for Pending Home Sales Up, Slightly, in December; Will This Spark A Recovery?

Pending Home Sales Up, Slightly, in December; Will This Spark A Recovery?

In December, more Americans signed new home contracts than had been originally anticipated. Experts are saying, then, that the increase could reflect that more people are scrambling to take advantage of lower mortgage rates as they... More of this article »
Image for Sales on Existing Homes Slip in December

Sales on Existing Homes Slip in December

Existing home sales in the United States fell, in December, by nearly 3 percent to reach an annual pace of 5.49 million. This is slightly higher than had been estimated in November and the highest level since 2006’s peak of 6.48... More of this article »
Image for Merck, Bristol-Myers, Ono Pharmaceuticals Agree to Settle Keytruda Patent Infringement Suit

Merck, Bristol-Myers, Ono Pharmaceuticals Agree to Settle Keytruda Patent Infringement Suit

Known as MSD outside of North America, Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) has been long celebrated as a global health care leader that now operates in more than 140 countries to deliver modern, innovative medical treatments and new health solutions. This... More of this article »
Image for US Mortgage Activity Stable and Should Continue To Improve

US Mortgage Activity Stable and Should Continue To Improve

New US mortgage applications may have slowed towards the end of 2016 but that does not necessarily mean the housing market is in for a slowdown. Data released from the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that borrowing costs fell from... More of this article »
Image for Dollar Still Pushes Up Through Holiday into Year To Close Strong on the Year

Dollar Still Pushes Up Through Holiday into Year To Close Strong on the Year

Heading into the Christmas holiday, the US dollar appears to still be running pretty strong, only down about a half a percent after this month’s US Federal Reserve meeting after several months of highs. While there is a bit of... More of this article »
Image for President-Elect Donald Trump Vows to Reform Energy Regulation

President-Elect Donald Trump Vows to Reform Energy Regulation

With the election already long behind us (with many still calling for a recount), attention has turned to what President-elect Donald Trump will do. Of course, the tradition is for the incumbent to release a first 100-day plan; and... More of this article »
Image for Existing Home Sales in the US On An Upswing

Existing Home Sales in the US On An Upswing

Homebuying activity continues to rise, with October showing the second straight month of gains to reach a cyclical high, even in the face of rising prices and shrinking inventory. “October’s strong sales gain was widespread throughout... More of this article »
Image for Consumer Spending Enters Holiday Season With Strong Growth

Consumer Spending Enters Holiday Season With Strong Growth

New numbers show that US consumer spending rose more than analysts expected in September. Households increased motor vehicle purchases and inflation increased consistently and, as such, analysts now have improved their expectations... More of this article »
Image for Numbers Show new US Housing Construction Down Last Month

Numbers Show new US Housing Construction Down Last Month

Groundbreaking on new homes has fallen for the second month in a row (through September) but builders are getting more permits to build. This is a sign, then, that residential construction should regain ground over the next few months,... More of this article »
Image for Is Minnesota Facing an Affordable Care Act Crisis?

Is Minnesota Facing an Affordable Care Act Crisis?

Minnesota governor Mark Dayton (D) laid it out simple—and hard—on Wednesday admitting there are “some serious blemishes right now, and serious deficiencies,” regarding the Affordable Care Act. More specifically, he comments... More of this article »
Image for Surging Prices of Produce Push Up Inflation in Canada

Surging Prices of Produce Push Up Inflation in Canada

The annual inflation rate for Canada hit 2% in January as the weaker Canadian dollar continued driving up the prices of fresh vegetables and fruits, said the federal statistics agency on Friday. The January inflation number for year... More of this article »