Economy

Economy

The U.S. economy is humming. So why are Americans so grumpy about it?

11:21am October 26, 2023

Rising interest rates haven't slowed the economy. GDP numbers out Thursday show the economy grew more than twice as fast in July, August and September as in the previous quarter.

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People shop in a Manhattan store in New York City on July 27, 2023. The economy grew 4.9% in the July-September, a stunning pace of growth that was largely powered by strong spending from consumers.

Economy

The U.S. economy posted stunning growth in the third quarter — but it may not last

9:29am October 26, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Gross domestic product surged from July to September as Americans opened their wallets big time, but there are doubts about how long this blistering pace of growth can last.

Dan Valdez, housing acquisitions manager for the nonprofit Brilliant Corners, checks out a recently leased property near downtown Los Angeles.

To tackle homelessness faster, LA has a kind of real estate agency for the unhoused

4:37pm October 24, 2023

by Jennifer Ludden

A Los Angeles program aggressively scouts vacant units and lobbies landlords in one of the country's tightest real estate markets. Some landlords offer up units even before putting them on the market.

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Almost half of all babies born in the U.S. in 2019 were born to unmarried mothers, a dramatic increase since 1960, when only 5% of births were to unmarried mothers.

Why children of married parents do better, but America is moving the other way

9:54am October 22, 2023

by Pallavi Gogoi

Almost half of all babies born in the U.S. are born to unmarried mothers. That's not good for children, says progressive economist Melissa Kearney in her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege.

Economy

The U.S. economy is showing strong growth despite high interest rates

8:32am October 21, 2023

The U.S. economy remains remarkably resilient, despite a sharp rise in interest rates. Mortgage rates are at their highest level in more than two decades.

When your boss is also your landlord: Employers are offering rentals to their workers

5:09pm October 19, 2023

by Carly Berlin

To find housing for workers, some employers in Vermont are turning into landlords. But the relationship to the employee renters can be tricky.

UAW strike ramps up as Kentucky facility walks off job

5:39pm October 18, 2023

by Jacob Munoz

The United Auto Workers strike now includes one of the largest and most profitable Ford plants. At the Kentucky facility, 8,700 workers walked off the job. Ford says it will have a huge impact.

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How the consumer sentiment index is made

5:11pm October 18, 2023

When the Fed wants to see if its policies are working to tamp down inflation, it looks to the Consumer Price Index. But to see into the future, policymakers look to the consumer sentiment index.

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Household finances improved between 2019 and 2022, according to a new survey from the Federal Reserve. Home ownership increased, despite a drop in affordability.

Economy

Why the average American family's net worth increased 37% during the pandemic

4:52pm October 18, 2023

by Scott Horsley

A new survey from the Federal Reserve finds that family finances overall improved in recent years, despite the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic.

Economy

These 5 big purchases can save energy — and money — at home

5:28pm October 15, 2023

by Jeff Brady

To live a more climate-friendly life, invest in home appliances that run on electricity, not fossil fuels, say sustainability experts. NPR's Life Kit offers a few energy-saving solutions to consider.