Economy

Economy

News brief: Inflation data, U.S.-India summit, Elon Musk and Twitter

6:31am April 12, 2022

Inflation, at a four-decade high, could go higher. U.S. officials met with their Indian counterparts about Russia. Elon Musk, Twitter's largest shareholder, could become an activist investor.

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Many forecasters believe a recession is coming

4:52pm April 11, 2022

by Scott Horsley

High inflation and the resulting crackdown by the Federal Reserve are fueling worries that the U.S. could be headed for a recession.

A woman removes pieces of broken glass from a shop window after a bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 23.

Russia's war could shrink the Ukrainian economy by 45% this year, the World Bank says

12:44pm April 11, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Meanwhile, the Russian economy is expected to contract by some 11% this year as a result of sanctions, and several other countries in the region are projected to fall into recession.

Mortgage rates on 30-year, fixed-rate loans rose above 5% this week. That's pushing the cost of buying a home higher and making homeownership unaffordable for more people.

Mortgage rates just hit 5%. Here's how much more expensive that makes home ownership

6:12pm April 08, 2022

by Chris Arnold

Higher mortgage rates and home prices have pushed the monthly payment to buy the median-priced home in the U.S. up more than 50% since the start of last year. Many first-time buyers can't afford it.

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A rendering provided by Universal Parks & Resorts shows its planned development in Orange County, Fla., that includes affordable housing.

Disney and Universal will build affordable housing in Florida, where need is acute

1:38pm April 08, 2022

by Bill Chappell

The average rent in Orlando jumped by 21% from 2020 to 2021. Two theme parks are now devoting around 100 acres in hopes of easing the housing crisis.

Workers plow wheat in Husakiv village in western Ukraine late last month. Russia and Ukraine account for a large percentage of global wheat exports.

Global food prices hit their highest recorded levels last month, driven up by the war

1:32pm April 08, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says prices of food commodities like grains and vegetable oils soared in March following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Economy

Nucor steel brings jobs and investment to Lexington

12:46pm April 08, 2022

by David Ford

Nucor, one of the world's largest steel producers, is coming to Davidson County where it will generate at least 180 jobs. Lexington will be home to a new micro mill steel pla

News brief: mortgage rates, midterm election issues, union drive at Starbucks

6:17am April 08, 2022

Buying a home has become a lot more expensive. Democrats are trying to balance multiple global crises ahead of fall's midterm elections. The drive to unionize Starbucks stores is gaining ground.

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A look at whether the sanctions on Russia are actually working

5:03pm April 07, 2022

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Daleep Singh, White House Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics, about the latest round of sanctions imposed on Russia.

Economy

Winston Weaver blaze darkened outlook for farmers struggling with fertilizer prices

4:59pm April 07, 2022

by Paul Garber

Local farms are part of a global economy. A worldwide surge in fertilizer prices has made that clear. And for this region, the Winston Weaver fire has made matters worse for many farmers.

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