Economy

Current changes in economic policies within the U.S. have led to a clear drop in consumer confidence. Many Americans are feeling more uncertain about the possible consequences of President Donald Trump's continuous trade conflict, according to the recent survey published by the University of Michigan. There has been a significant decrease in the consumer sentiment index for this month, hitting 57.9, marking the lowest level since November 2022. This shows an 11% reduction from February's figure of 64.7, highlighting the increasing concern among consumers about the direction of the country's economy.The decrease in confidence comes after several months filled with…

The continuous trade disputes between the United States and China have created substantial strains on American tech enterprises, compelling them to adjust to unforeseen financial hurdles. The latest tariff hikes by President Donald Trump’s administration have altered the fiscal landscape for companies dependent on Chinese production. For numerous technology firms, these measures have resulted in heightened expenses, interrupted supply networks, and greater unpredictability, leaving the industry in a vulnerable state.Deena Ghazarian, who established Austere, an electronics firm located in California, felt the impact of these shifts directly. Not long after starting her company in 2019, she was confronted with an…

In Union County, South Carolina, the cotton mills that once supplied many jobs have vanished. Now, the county is labeled as a "food desert," indicating residents are often distant from grocery stores. Acknowledging this challenge, local non-profit leader Elise Ashby initiated a project in 2016, working with farmers to deliver affordable boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables across the area, where around 30% of the population is Black, and about 25% face poverty.Ms. Ashby originally financed the project using her own savings and minor grants. In 2023, her work saw a substantial advancement when the Walmart Foundation—the charitable arm of…

La Reserva Federal comunicó su decisión de mantener la tasa de fondos federales en el rango objetivo de 4.25% a 4.50%. Esta resolución se toma en medio de evaluaciones continuas de indicadores económicos y factores externos que impactan en la economía estadounidense.Indicadores Económicos y Situación del Mercado LaboralEconomic Indicators and Labor Market ConditionsObjetivos de Política y Mandato Dual de la Reserva FederalLa Reserva Federal funciona bajo un mandato dual: alcanzar el máximo empleo y mantener la inflación en una tasa objetivo del 2% a largo plazo. El Comité Federal de Mercado Abierto (FOMC) evalúa que los riesgos para lograr estos…

At the end of January 2025, the U.S. government revealed its intentions to impose tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, steel, and computer chips. This action seeks to strengthen local manufacturing and tackle trade imbalances. Yet, these steps might profoundly impact global trade relations, especially influencing major U.S. partners in Asia.Effects on the Semiconductor SectorImpact on Semiconductor IndustryApprehensions in the Pharmaceutical IndustryPharmaceutical Sector ConcernsSteel Sector and Wider Economic EffectsSteel Industry and Broader Economic ImplicationsInternational Trade Ties and Possible RetaliationGlobal Trade Relations and Potential RetaliationThe proposed tariffs have elicited concerns among U.S. allies in Asia. Countries like Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, which…

Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in late November 2023, addressing ongoing consumer financial protection issues. A few weeks later, the CFPB stepped up its efforts by filing a lawsuit against Zelle, a major peer-to-peer payments network, and its three largest operators – JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – for failing to fight fraud. and adequately compensate victims. The lawsuit marks a significant step in the CFPB's broader campaign to hold financial institutions accountable for fraud-related customer losses. Customers of the…

Neuralink, the brain technology startup founded by Elon Musk, announced that it has received approval to launch a new feasibility study using its experimental brain implant and robotic arm technology. This initiative, called FIRST studywill evaluate the safety and functionality of the company's wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) and its surgical robot. The study is specifically aimed at helping people with tetraplegia-a severe form of paralysis: controls external devices using only their thoughts. The announcement was made via Neuralink's social media channels, where the company described the study as a significant step toward advancing its technology. “This is the first step…

November brought an unexpected rise in wholesale prices, casting doubt on the pace of inflation's decline, according to data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The producer price index (PPI), a key measure of what manufacturers charge for goods and services, rose 0.4% on the month, beating the Dow Jones estimate of 0.2%. On a year-over-year basis, PPI rose 3%, the biggest annual gain since February 2023. Excluding food and energy price volatility, core PPI increased 0.2%, in line with market expectations. Furthermore, excluding commercial services, the monthly PPI increase fell to just 0.1%. However, the core…

William O'Dowd IV, CEO of Dolphin Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:DLPN), increased his personal investment in the company by acquiring an additional 13,000 shares of common stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1.09 each, bringing the total value of the transaction to approximately $14,170. This move highlights O'Dowd's confidence in the company's future and its recent performance metrics, including an impressive 94% gross profit margin and a 22% revenue growth rate over the past year. The purchase, completed on December 17, 2024, increases O'Dowd's direct ownership in Dolphin Entertainment to 147,493 shares. In addition to this, O'Dowd also…

The U.S. auto market is poised for its strongest performance in years, with new vehicle sales expected to rise to levels not seen since 2019. Industry analysts expect a recovery in 2025, driven by improved affordability, lower interest rates and a gradual normalization of the vehicle market. stocks after years of supply chain disruptions and inflated prices. Cox Automotive expects new light-duty vehicle sales to reach 16.3 million units in 2025, slightly ahead of forecasts from S&P Global Mobility and Edmunds, which call for sales of about 16.2 million. These estimates represent a modest increase from this year's expected range…