TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024
Economy
America's Secret Inflation Weapon
The U.S. economy experienced lower-than-expected inflation and strong growth due to increased supply of goods and services rather than demand-driven factors, leading to slower price rises and even price reductions in some industries.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024
Economy
Recession Less Likely, but Slowdown Is Seen
Economists predict a lower probability of recession but anticipate anemic growth, rising unemployment, and slower job creation in 2024.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
Properties
Big Retail Chains Exit From Malls As Shoppers Prefer the Outdoors
National retail chains, including Bath & Body Works and Foot Locker, are shifting their focus from malls to outdoor shopping centers and strip malls as consumers show a preference for more convenient and accessible shopping experiences, leading to potential trouble for traditional malls.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
Gas
GasNatural-Gas Prices Remain Under Pressure Despite Cold Snap
Despite a temporary increase in prices due to a winter storm, the long-term forecast for natural-gas prices in the U.S. remains low due to robust production, full storage, delays in LNG capacity additions, and warm weather.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
Economy
EconomyHoliday Shopping Exceeded Optimistic Forecasts
U.S. retail sales during the holiday season exceeded expectations, rising 5.6% from the previous year, driven by rising wages and cooling inflation, indicating consumer-driven economic growth in 2024.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
Business
Spotify Struggles With Big Bets
Despite its dominant market position and millions of subscribers, Spotify has struggled to consistently generate profits due to high royalty payments, unsuccessful ventures into podcasting and concert promotion, and delays in offering high-fidelity audio.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
Business
The Reason the Office Isn't Fun Anymore
As remote work fades, employees returning to the office are opting for private booths and conference rooms instead of collaborative spaces, leading to quieter workplaces and a decline in camaraderie.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
Health
HealthAmericans Are Sick for More of Their Lives
Medical advances prolong life but decrease the time spent in good health, primarily due to the rising prevalence of conditions like obesity, diabetes, substance-use disorders, and mental-health disorders among younger Americans, leading to broad societal and economic ramifications.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024
EV
Cummins, Daimler, and Paccar Wager Big on Electric Trucks
plan to build a $2 billion battery factory in Mississippi to produce batteries for commercial trucks, betting on the freight industry's readiness to shift to electric vehicles as new government standards raise costs and restrictions on diesel trucks.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024
Economy
Americans Feel More Optimistic About Economy
Consumer sentiment in the United States has significantly improved, with a surge of 29% since November 2023, due to cooling inflation, positive labor market conditions, and signals from the Federal Reserve about a halt in interest-rate increases, indicating fading recession fears for 2024.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024
Business
This Overhyped Tech Is No Longer Coming Soon
Major areas of tech investment, including the metaverse, blockchain, and autonomous vehicles, are facing a reality check as they fail to live up to their hype and experience contraction and disinvestment.