Tariffs

Indicators

Small Business Owners Grow More Confident About the Year Ahead

Photo via Keith Birmingham/ZUMA Press/Newscom

In a survey, the National Federation of Independent Business said its small-business optimism index jumped in December.

2 min read

Photo via Corine Solberg/Sipa USA/Newscom

International Economics

US Trade Deficit Shrinks to Lowest Since 2009

Imports fell 3.2% from the previous month to $331.4 billion in October, and exports rose 2.6% to $302 billion.

2 min read
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Indicators

US Manufacturing Activity Grinds to 14-Month Low

US factory activity contracted for the tenth straight month in December, according to the latest Institute for Supply Management survey.

2 min read
Photo via Florian Gaertner/picture alliance / photothek.de/Newscom

Consumer

Online Shoppers, Say Goodbye to Free Returns

In the US, 72% of merchants charge for at least some return options, up from 66% last year, according to a recent report.

1 min read

Indicators

Upbeat FedEx Forecast Makes Holiday Sales Prospects Jollier

Photo via imageBROKER/Josef Kube�/Newscom

Revenue and profit growth at shipping giant FedEx bode well for the company’s overhaul efforts and the critical holiday sales season.

2 min read

Photo via Alexey Stiop/Newscom

Energy

Heating Prices Surge as Utility Bills Grow Faster Than Paychecks

NEADA found the average monthly electric bill has surged 29% since 2021, and natural gas has jumped 50% over the past year.

1 min read
Photo by krblokhin via iStock

Consumer

What’s the Beef? For American Grocery Shoppers, It’s Meat Prices

US shoppers are now paying an average price of $6.60 per pound of ground beef, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1 min read
Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photos by Liorpt via iStock and Chris Kleponis/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Advisor Upside

Tariff Turmoil Not ‘Rear View Mirror’ Yet: Schwab’s Liz Ann Sonders

The company’s chief investment strategist warned policy moves can take months or years to ripple through the broader economy.

5 min read

Consumer

Butterball Battle Begins for Retailers Rolling Out Holiday Deals

Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Target on Wednesday said its meal kit for four will cost less than $20 this year before tax, or about $5 a person.

2 min read

Economics

Thawing Housing Market Not Yet Liquid Enough to Jump-Start Sales

Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photos by AltoClassic via iStock and Freepik

Rejuvenating frozen US housing sales will require a strong job market and mortgage rates low enough to pique sellers’ interest in new homes.

4 min read

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