U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: May 01, 2026
Today: May 01, 2026

economic growth

Business|Economy|Europe|World

UK factories see biggest month-on-month jump in costs since 1992, PMI shows

British factory cost pressures soared in March and delivery delays - due to ships avoiding the Strait of Hormuz - were the longest since mid-2022, according to a survey

UK factories see biggest month-on-month jump in costs since 1992, PMI shows
Business|Economy|US|World

US business inventories unexpectedly fall in January

U.S. business inventories unexpectedly fell in January amid a large decline in stocks at wholesalers, suggesting inventory investment could weigh on economic growth in

US business inventories unexpectedly fall in January
Business|Economy|Finance|World

US trade deficit widens in February as imports offset record exports

The U.S. trade deficit widened in February as a rebound in imports offset strong growth in exports, which increased to a record high, potentially keeping trade on track

US trade deficit widens in February as imports offset record exports
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

US jobs report for March is stronger than expected, likely keeping Fed on sidelines

U.S. nonfarm payrolls expanded more than Wall Street anticipated last month and the jobless rate fell to 4.3%, bolstering expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold

US jobs report for March is stronger than expected, likely keeping Fed on sidelines
Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|Stock Markets

European shares muted with Middle East developments, corporate results in focus

European shares were little changed on Thursday as markets weighed progress toward a potential resolution to the Middle East conflict, while

European shares muted with Middle East developments, corporate results in focus
Business|Economy|Environment|World

World Bank launches 'Water Forward' programme to tackle global water stress

The World Bank and other top development lenders launched a new global initiative dubbed Water Forward on Wednesday, aimed at improving secure water access for a billion

World Bank launches 'Water Forward' programme to tackle global water stress
Business|Economy|Environment|Europe|World

World Bank expects stronger exports to lift Western Balkans growth to average 3.1% in 2026-27

Economic growth for six Western Balkans countries is projected to increase to 3.1% on average in 2026 and 2027 on stronger exports and public investment after a slowdown

World Bank expects stronger exports to lift Western Balkans growth to average 3.1% in 2026-27
Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|Stock Markets|World

UK investment industry calls for clearer risk rules to encourage everyday investors

Britain’s financial regulator must amend rules governing how investment-risk warnings are presented or retail investors will continue to

UK investment industry calls for clearer risk rules to encourage everyday investors
Asia|Business|Economy|World

Asia Pacific faces weaker growth and higher inflation from Middle East crisis, ADB warns  

Growth in developing Asia and the Pacific is expected to slow this year as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts trade and energy markets, the Asian Development Bank

Asia Pacific faces weaker growth and higher inflation from Middle East crisis, ADB warns  
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

South Korea holds rates steady as Iran war fans inflation, growth risks

South Korea's central bank kept its policy interest rate steady on Friday and warned of a highly uncertain path ahead as a broadening conflict

South Korea holds rates steady as Iran war fans inflation, growth risks
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

China's factories snap years-long deflation spell on Iran war price shock

China's factory-gate prices rose for the first time in more than three years in March, in an early sign that the war in Iran is feeding cost pressures into the world’s

China's factories snap years-long deflation spell on Iran war price shock
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US|World

US labor market holds steady; inflation firmer before Iran war

New applications for U.S. unemployment benefits increased moderately last week, showing no signs of labor market deterioration and potentially giving

US labor market holds steady; inflation firmer before Iran war
Business|Economy|Environment|World

Middle East war to cut growth, deliver cascading impact, World Bank chief says

The war in the Middle East will have a cascading impact on the global economy, even if a ceasefire announced by U.S.

Middle East war to cut growth, deliver cascading impact, World Bank chief says
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Protracted Iran war narrows BOJ's rate hike options

Once seen as a strong possibility, a Bank of Japan rate hike in April is turning into a fainter prospect as fading hopes of an end to the Middle East

Protracted Iran war narrows BOJ's rate hike options
Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|World

IMF cuts Turkey 2026 economic growth forecast on weaker momentum, energy prices

The International Monetary Fund cut its economic growth forecast for Turkey to 3.4% from 4.2% for this year, citing weaker-than-expected activity in 2025 and the drag from

IMF cuts Turkey 2026 economic growth forecast on weaker momentum, energy prices
Economy|Finance|Political

Trump promised tax relief, but polling shows most Americans still think they're overpaying

Tax refunds are up this season, but polling shows that most Americans still think their taxes are too high, according to recent polls

Trump promised tax relief, but polling shows most Americans still think they're overpaying
Africa|Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|MidEast|Political|Stock Markets|US|World

Citing fallout from the Iran war, IMF cuts the outlook for global growth, expects higher inflation

The Iran war has stalled the world’s economic momentum this year, likely pushing growth lower compared to 2025, the International Monetary Fund warned Tuesday

Citing fallout from the Iran war, IMF cuts the outlook for global growth, expects higher inflation
Economy|Political|World

The US is short 10 million houses. A new White House report lays out a blueprint to fix that

White House economists estimate the United States has a shortage of 10 million houses

The US is short 10 million houses. A new White House report lays out a blueprint to fix that
Business|Economy|Finance|World

IMF chief warns that Iran war will slow global economic growth

The head of the International Monetary Fund says the war in Iran is darkening the outlook for the world economy, and that's the case whether or not a fragile ceasefire holds

IMF chief warns that Iran war will slow global economic growth
Economy|Finance|Political|US|World

FACT FOCUS: False claims Trump made as he addressed the nation about Iran

President Donald Trump's address to the nation on the Iran war did not always hew to the facts

FACT FOCUS: False claims Trump made as he addressed the nation about Iran
Business|Economy|World

Retail sales rose more than expected in February

Retail sales rose more than expected in February

Retail sales rose more than expected in February
Asia|Business|Economy|World

Business sentiments in Japan improving despite Iran worries

A quarterly survey by the Bank of Japan shows business sentiment among major Japanese manufacturers improved slightly

Business sentiments in Japan improving despite Iran worries
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US|World

US job openings rise to a better-than-expected 7 million despite sluggish labor market

U.S. job openings rose to nearly 7 million in January, better than expected at a time when the American labor market has looked sluggish

US job openings rise to a better-than-expected 7 million despite sluggish labor market
Economy|World

Inflation held steady last month, but that was before the attack on Iran sent energy costs soaring

Inflation stayed stubbornly elevated last month as gas prices rose in a snapshot of what consumer prices looked like before the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran sent energy costs soaring

Inflation held steady last month, but that was before the attack on Iran sent energy costs soaring
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Inflation rose more quickly than expected in December

A key inflation gauge accelerated in December, a sign that many prices are still rising more quickly than most Americans would prefer — and faster than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2% a year

Inflation rose more quickly than expected in December
Business|Economy|US|World

Surge of 130,000 US hires last month is a stark contrast to the weak hiring of 2025

U.S. employers added a surprisingly strong 130,000 jobs last month, but government revisions cut 2024-2025 U.S. payrolls by hundreds of thousands

Surge of 130,000 US hires last month is a stark contrast to the weak hiring of 2025
Business|Economy|Finance|World

CBO: Federal deficits and debt to worsen over next decade

The Congressional Budget Office projects worsening federal deficits and rising debt over the next decade, driven by increased spending on Social Security, Medicare, and debt service payments

CBO: Federal deficits and debt to worsen over next decade
Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|World

Bank of England stands pat on interest rates, but cuts expected ahead

The Bank of England is keeping its main interest rate unchanged at 3.75% with U.K. inflation remaining above target and economic growth is showing signs of picking up

Bank of England stands pat on interest rates, but cuts expected ahead
Crime|Economy|Environment

Right-wing populist Laura Fernández claims victory in Costa Rica’s elections. Here’s what to know.

Right-wing populist Laura Fernández claims victory in Costa Rica’s elections. Here’s what to know.

Right-wing populist Laura Fernández claims victory in Costa Rica’s elections. Here’s what to know.
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US

CSX railroad profit slips 2% as shipping demand remained weak and severance costs hurt results

CSX said Thursday that its profit slipped 2% in the fourth quarter as the railroad dealt with weak demand and severance costs from layoffs that new CEO Steve Angel carried out last fall

CSX railroad profit slips 2% as shipping demand remained weak and severance costs hurt results
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US

Consumer spending remained strong during the holiday season despite elevated prices

Consumer spending remained strong during the holiday season despite elevated prices

Consumer spending remained strong during the holiday season despite elevated prices
Business|Economy|Finance|US

Inflation cooled slightly in December though it remains above Fed's target

Inflation declined a bit last month as prices for gas and used cars fell, a sign that cost pressures are slowly easing

Inflation cooled slightly in December though it remains above Fed's target
Business|Economy|World

China factory activity picks up in December as orders rebound ahead of holidays

Surveys show that Chinese factory activity expanded for the first time in eight months in December, as orders picked up ahead of holidays and builders rushed to finish projects

China factory activity picks up in December as orders rebound ahead of holidays
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Asian shares are mixed after US stocks drift to more records

Asian shares are mixed in thin holiday trading, with most markets in the region and elsewhere closed for Christmas

Asian shares are mixed after US stocks drift to more records
Arts|Business|Economy|Education|Entertainment|Environment|Health|Lifestyle|Political|Science|Technology

A look at aging baby boomers in the United States

The oldest baby boomers are turning 80 in 2026

A look at aging baby boomers in the United States
Business|Economy|Technology|World

US Steel to resume steel production at Illinois plant shut 2 years ago

U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand

US Steel to resume steel production at Illinois plant shut 2 years ago
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

China should focus on economy not 'territorial expansion', Taiwan president says

China's economy is in a bad way and President Xi Jinping should focus on improving the lives of his people and not "territorial expansion", Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said

China should focus on economy not 'territorial expansion', Taiwan president says
Economy|Political|World

Mexican government hikes minimum wage, pushes shorter work week

Mexico on Wednesday announced it would boost the minimum wage next year and push to trim the country's long work week, the

Mexican government hikes minimum wage, pushes shorter work week
Business|Economy|World

Japan's factory activity decline slows in November, PMI shows

Japan's manufacturing activity shrank for the fifth consecutive month in November, weighed by sluggish demand, though the outlook improved slightly, a private-sector survey

Japan's factory activity decline slows in November, PMI shows
Business|Economy|Finance|World

Japan Q3 capex growth slows to 2.9%, but points to resilient demand

Japanese corporate spending on factories and equipment rose 2.9% in July-September against the same period the year before, Ministry of Finance data showed

Japan Q3 capex growth slows to 2.9%, but points to resilient demand
Business|Economy|World

RBNZ's first female governor takes reins after tumultuous period

The first job for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's new chief as she starts work on Monday is to make the central bank boring again, following a

RBNZ's first female governor takes reins after tumultuous period
Business|Economy|Europe|World

UK manufacturing PMI shows first growth in over a year in November

Britain's manufacturing sector recorded its first increase in activity since September 2024 last month, bolstered by improved domestic demand and less of a slowdown in orders

UK manufacturing PMI shows first growth in over a year in November
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

China's slow-motion stock rally starts to win investor trust 

Fund managers are picking Chinese industrial stocks and holding volatile tech shares, betting a two-year-old equities rally

China's slow-motion stock rally starts to win investor trust 
Business|Economy|Political|World

US says it will use G20 presidency to focus on economic growth

The U.S. on Monday assumed the 12-month presidency of the Group of 20 major economies amid a bitter feud with outgoing president South

US says it will use G20 presidency to focus on economic growth
Business|Economy|Finance|Political|Stock Markets|US|World

Despite US trade war, OECD expects global economy will grow 3.2% this year

The world economy has proven surprisingly durable in the face of President Donald Trump’s trade wars, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Tuesday, upgrading its outlook for global and U.S. economic growth this year

Despite US trade war, OECD expects global economy will grow 3.2% this year
Business|Economy|Political|World

Russia's Putin says output fall in some sectors not acceptable

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that a fall in output in some sectors of the economy was not acceptable, and a transition to balanced growth remained a goal

Russia's Putin says output fall in some sectors not acceptable
Business|Economy|Finance|World

Global financial system must adapt to better serve economy, UN trade agency says

The financial system risks undermining global trade if it fails to adapt to the economy's needs, with developing countries likely to suffer the most, the

Global financial system must adapt to better serve economy, UN trade agency says
Business|Economy|Finance|World

India's Q2 GDP growth likely stayed firm on strong domestic demand

India's economy likely stayed resilient in the July–September quarter, driven by consumer demand and front-loading of production and

India's Q2 GDP growth likely stayed firm on strong domestic demand
Business|Economy|Finance|Political|Stock Markets|World

Japan finalises $117 billion extra budget to fund stimulus, mostly via debt

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government on Friday finalised a $117 billion supplementary budget for this financial year to fund a massive stimulus

Japan finalises $117 billion extra budget to fund stimulus, mostly via debt