ECONOMY

How A New Executive Order Aims To Shift Power From Companies To Consumers

4:24pm July 09, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Bharat Ramamurti, deputy director of the National Economic Council, about President Biden's executive order that aims to shift power from companies to consumers.

President Biden wants the Federal Trade Commission to curtail the use of noncompete agreements as part of a larger push to promote competition in the U.S. economy.

Biden Moves To Restrict Noncompete Agreements, Saying They're Bad For Workers

12:33pm July 09, 2021

by Andrea Hsu

In an executive order aimed at promoting competition, President Biden is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to ban or limit noncompete agreements that affect tens of millions of workers.

Stock Market Slumps Just After The S&P 500 Index, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs

6:07pm July 08, 2021

by Scott Horsley

The stock market slumped just one day after the S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq hit record highs. Fresh pandemic concerns may have rattled investors, as Japan has decided to declare a state of emergency.

Lumber is stacked up for sale at a Home Depot store in May in Doral, Fla. Lumber prices surged during the pandemic, only to fall as the economy started to open up again. But prices remain volatile and still more expensive than pre-pandemic levels.

Economy

What The Rise And Fall Of Lumber Prices Tell Us About The Pandemic Economy

1:23pm July 08, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Lumber prices soared during the pandemic, sparking inflation fears. Just as quickly, prices then dropped, but that's not the end of the story.

Economy

Teenage Workers Are Benefiting From The High Demand For Employees

7:55am July 08, 2021

Young workers are in high demand this summer. NPR's Lelia Fadel talks to Evans Prater, founder of Mount Inspiration Apparel, and teen general manager Mary Grace Flattery, about their experience.

A Tough Summer For U.S. Small Businesses As International Tourists Stay Home

4:41pm July 07, 2021

If this were a normal summer, tourists from all over the world would be vacationing in the U.S. Travel restrictions are still in place for many visitors, impacting small businesses across the country.

The number of job openings topped 9 million on the last day in May, according to the Labor Department. The number of people quitting their jobs fell slightly from April — to 3.6 million.

Economy

U.S. Job Openings Remain At A Historic High, Giving Job Seekers Options

12:33pm July 07, 2021

by Andrea Hsu

The number of job openings in the U.S. topped 9 million in May, according to Labor Department. The number of people quitting their jobs eased slightly from April but remains high.

Economy

Economic Pressures Are Rising On Mom And Pop Rental Owners

7:04am July 07, 2021

by Chris Nichols

Small landlords say eviction moratoriums make it harder for them to stay in business. There's concern they will sell to corporations that may not provide similar entry-level apartments for renters.

Several brands of cereal boxes fill the shelves at a grocery store January 10, 2019 in New Rochelle, New York.

Beware Of 'Shrinkflation,' Inflation's Devious Cousin

1:33pm July 06, 2021

by Greg Rosalsky

Products are shrinking. Only some people are noticing.

In need of workers, a Domino's franchise in Washington, D.C., is offering a sign-on bonus for all positions.

Economy

A $500 Sign-On Bonus To Deliver Pizzas? Here's What To Know About Hiring Incentives

10:39am July 06, 2021

by Andrea Hsu

Employers from Amazon to Disney World are offering big hiring incentives right now. While they're a great tool for employers, they're not always as good for workers.