Economy

Biden and Xi-Jinping have a lot to discuss at their first in-person meeting this week

4:36pm November 14, 2023

by John Ruwitch

President Biden is to hold his first in-person meeting with China's leader, Xi Jinping, in California on Wednesday. The two leaders have a lot to discuss when they sit down.

Congressional spending bill will avoid a government shutdown — for now

4:36pm November 14, 2023

by Eric McDaniel

Congress is moving forward with a spending bill approach that could lead to rolling shutdown deadlines next year.

A customer replaces the pump dispenser at a Chevron gas station in Columbus, Miss., on Oct. 23. The average price of regular gas has fallen more than 40 cents from a year ago.

Economy

As gasoline prices fall, U.S. inflation cools to 3.2%

10:19am November 14, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Consumer prices last month were 3.2% higher than the month before — a smaller annual increase than the previous month. A sharp drop in gas prices in October helped to offset rising rents.

Economy

The Labor Department released its report card on October inflation

10:07am November 14, 2023

Inflation is coming down. The latest cost-of-living report showed lower annual inflation in October than the month before. Falling gasoline prices get much of the credit for that.

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Would-be home buyers are battling high prices and high interest rates, but some are finding a way to make it work.

Economy

Tough housing market is luring buyers without kids and higher incomes

7:27am November 14, 2023

by Scott Horsley

A report from the National Association of Realtors shows the average home buyer this past year had a six-figure income. Others face challenges in a period of high prices and costly home loans.

Economy

What would happen if Congress stripped $14 billion from the IRS's budget?

5:12am November 14, 2023

The IRS has been underfunded for decades. The lack of money makes things harder for regular taxpayers. NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings institution.

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Proposed congressional spending plan leaves out military aid for Ukraine and Israel

4:36pm November 13, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser about Congress' upcoming spending plan and how that relates to funding for Ukraine.

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Many say it's a bad time to buy a house. So who's still going for it?

4:36pm November 13, 2023

by Scott Horsley

85% of Americans say it's a "bad time" to buy a house. So who's still buying in the current market? An annual survey from the National Association of Realtors offers some insight.

Economy

UAW's new contract helps other car companies' workers — but what about Tesla?

5:10am November 13, 2023

by Leila Fadel

Tentative deals with Detroit's Big 3 will push up wages at rivals as firms try to avoid unionization. How will Tesla, the famously anti-union electric carmaker, respond to the union's ambitions?

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The unemployment rate jumped in October, but layoffs are still rare.

The 'R' word: Why this time might be an exception to a key recession rule

5:00am November 12, 2023

by Scott Horsley

The author of the 'Sahm Rule' is less worried about rising unemployment this time, even though October's rate was up 0.5% from a recent low...a jump typically associated with the onset of recession.

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