Economy
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Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year
Dec 18, 2024 6:37 am - The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday by a quarter-point — its third cut this year — but also signaled that it expects to reduce rates more slowly next year than it previously envisioned, largely because of still-elevated inflation.
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FTC issues rules requiring hotels, ticket sellers to reveal ‘junk fees’
Dec 17, 2024 3:09 pm - The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued long-awaited rules requiring companies to display the full price of a hotel room, concert ticket or sporting event up front...
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Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of US economy’s health
Dec 17, 2024 7:44 am - Consumers stepped up their spending at retail stores last month, providing a boost to the economy in the early phases of the winter holiday shopping season.
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Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated
Dec 16, 2024 1:56 pm - Americans hoping for lower borrowing costs for homes, credit cards and cars may be disappointed after this week's Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed's policymakers are likely to signal fewer interest rate cuts next year than were previously expected.
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Skyrocketing car-insurance premiums are pushing inflation higher
Dec 13, 2024 2:30 pm - Soaring insurance premiums, particularly for autos, are fueling rising consumer prices and complicating policymakers’ attempts to beat back inflation. Inflation cooled fo...
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As budget tightens, report finds Illinois better prepared for recession than in recent past
Dec 11, 2024 10:00 am - State lawmakers will face a projected budget deficit and slowing revenue when they return to Springfield in January, but a new report shows fiscal decisions made in recent years have put Illinois in a better position to handle a recession than in recent decades.
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Cutting through the noise in 2025 to work for small businessesDec 08, 2024 6:30 am - The small business community needs a common sense, meaningful, and robust agenda in 2025. Elliot Richardson says the Small Business Advocacy Council will deliver.
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US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown
Dec 06, 2024 7:52 am - America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from October, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls.
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Food, gas and cars could quickly get pricier under Trump’s tariff plan
Dec 02, 2024 7:56 am - A new wave of tariffs could quickly reignite inflation on food, gas and automobiles, just as Americans were finally starting to catch a break from fast-rising prices.
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Holiday online shopping scams expected to surge on Cyber MondayNov 29, 2024 11:48 am - Cyber Monday is prime time for high-risk online shopping scams, the Better Business Bureau warns.