ECONOMY

Federal Reserve Bank Chair Janet Yellen holds a news conference after the central bank announced its first rate increase in more than 9 years.

Federal Reserve Announces Hike In Short-Term Interest Rates

5:54pm December 16, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

After holding rates near zero for seven years, the Fed approved a small increase Wednesday. While that step seems minor, the impact could be huge in 2016 as borrowing costs head up.

Why Is The Fed Chair So Difficult To Understand? Here's A Translation

5:41pm December 16, 2015

Have you ever heard an announcement from the Federal Reserve and felt like you are way under qualified to understand a word of it? That's no accident.

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The Puerto Rican capitol building in San Juan is seen on July 1, 2015. The island's residents are struggling to cope with the government's $72 billion debt.

Congress' Funding Package Offers No Debt Assistance To Puerto Rico

5:11pm December 16, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

Struggling under a $72 billion debt, the territory asked for a legal change allowing it to file for some form of bankruptcy. But lawmakers have left that language out of their tax-and-spending deal.

Here's What The Fed Interest Rate Hike Means For Consumers

4:57pm December 16, 2015

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in nine years Wednesday. NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Megan Greene, chief economist at John Hancock, about what this means for consumers.

The fleet of U.S. vehicles has kept its fuel efficiency at a record high, the EPA says. Here, an electric BMW i3 is seen in Miami.

Trucks Hit Record 20.4 MPG, EPA Says; Carmakers Are Ahead Of Emissions Standards

4:57pm December 16, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Fuel economy is at record highs and carmakers have surpassed strict greenhouse gas emissions standards for the third straight year, the Environmental Protection Agency says.

Economy

Investors Take Note That Rental Demand Is Up For Single-Family Homes

3:05pm December 16, 2015

by Carrie Jung

After the housing crisis, demand for rental property boomed. Census data show vacancy rates for rental units reached an all-time low this summer. More people are wanting to rent single family homes.

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Shoppers in Freeport, Maine, pass by store windows advertising Black Friday deals after the stores opened their doors at midnight.

Shoppers This Year May Need The Nudge Of Cold Air And Gift Cards

2:47pm December 16, 2015

by Charles Lane

It's been warmer than usual around the country and hardly feels like gift-giving season. Some economists say December sales will be fine after Christmas when consumers shop for sales with gift cards.

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Economy

Fed Expected To Raise Interest Rates For The First Time Since 2008

1:15pm December 16, 2015

For seven years, the Federal Reserve has been keeping short-term interest rates at zero. David Greene talks to David Wessel of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution.

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Congressional Spending Bill Would Lift The Ban On Exporting Crude Oil

1:03pm December 16, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

Such a move could be a boon for U.S. oil producers hoping to expand into the global market. The bill would also extend tax credits for wind and solar energy production.

Economy

House Plans Vote On Year-End, Must-Pass Tax And Spending Deal

11:44pm December 15, 2015

by Susan Davis

Republicans like the tax package; Democrats like the spending plan. The two parties are expected to put together enough votes to get the overall deal through the House, with a smooth road beyond.