Economy

Paulson: U.S. And China Compete For Technological, Innovative Superiority

6:11am November 16, 2020

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson about the U.S. and China, and the pressure on the incoming Biden administration to tackle the economic issues between the two.

Queue Listen Now

A woman sits in a theater in Irvine, Calif., waiting for a movie to start, on Sept. 8. A COVID-19 vaccine could unleash pent-up spending from households that have mostly avoided activities like going to the gym during the coronavirus pandemic.

Vaccine Could Unlock Trillions In Spending, Leading To 'Biden Boom'

7:22am November 13, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Pent-up demand from households that have been cooped up over the last eight months could drive a spending boom in the spring, providing a big boost to the economy.

Queue Listen Now

News Brief: Bolton's Message To Republicans, Biden's Economy, COVID-19 Vaccine

5:01am November 13, 2020

John Bolton urges Republicans to accept a Biden presidency. Biden could see a boom in the economy with the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine. And, poorer countries might not receive a vaccine until 2023.

Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, sold millions of dollars' worth of company stock on Monday as part of a preset plan. But NPR found irregularities about when the CEO entered into that plan.

Pfizer CEO Sold Millions In Stock After Coronavirus Vaccine News, Raising Questions

8:32pm November 11, 2020

by Tom Dreisbach

Pfizer's CEO sold $5.6 million worth of stock on Monday. The company says the stock sale was made as part of a preset plan. But NPR found irregularities about when the CEO entered into that plan.

Queue Listen Now

Nathan Bieck with his wife Ashley and 9-year-old daughter Maddie. Since being furloughed in the pandemic, Bieck has become Teacher Dad, helping Maddie with virtual school while job searching himself.

Economy

'I'm A Much Better Cook': For Dads, Being Home During Pandemic Is Eye-Opening

5:06pm November 11, 2020

by Andrea Hsu

While working moms have been struggling this year, pandemic life is also taking a toll on dads, many of whom are confronting situations they may not have chosen otherwise.

These men, harvesting sweet potatoes in North Carolina, came to the U.S. on H-2A visas that are designated for seasonal agricultural workers. Such "guest workers" now account for about ten percent of U.S. farm workers.

Farm Workers Say The Government Is Trying To Cut Their Wages

4:02pm November 11, 2020

by Dan Charles

Farm worker advocates are accusing the U.S. Department of Agriculture of trying to cut the wages of farm workers who come to the U.S. on temporarily guest worker visas.

John and Mary Jane Forr stand outside their home in Punta Gorda, Fla. Forr, a retired Marine Corps colonel, discovered he could save $2,500 a year by shopping around for a lower-rate mortgage.

Their Service Entitles Them To Low-Cost Loans. But Veterans Often Pay More

11:12am November 11, 2020

by Chris Arnold

A study finds that some lenders are overcharging military veterans, raising the cost of their home loans by thousands of dollars. Fair lending watchdogs say people need to shop around and negotiate.

Queue Listen Now

Who Are The Candidates To Become Biden's Treasury Secretary?

4:28pm November 10, 2020

by Scott Horsley

President-elect Biden must decide who will lead his economic team. Sen. Elizabeth Warren expressed interest in serving as Treasury secretary, but she faces some obstacles to winning the nomination.

Queue Listen Now

The Unexpected Boom In Startups

6:31am November 10, 2020

by Greg Rosalsky

Despite the pandemic — or maybe because of it — new businesses are starting at record rates.

Stocks Skyrocket Amid Pfizer's Report On Effectiveness Of A Coronavirus Vaccine

5:34pm November 09, 2020

by Jim Zarroli

Stocks soared to record highs after drugmaker Pfizer announced its experimental coronavirus vaccine was more than 90% effective, providing a major dose of hope for the global economy.