U.S. Economy News

Unemployment rates, inflation, GDP. Making sense of the most relevant economic indicators can be daunting. The Balance not only keeps you updated, but helps you understand what to watch for while navigating these uncertain times.
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Wages, Eroded by Inflation All Year, Gain Some Ground
Female customer with face mask shopping at a grocery store
Inflation Rate Cools a Bit More in August
A woman wearing a face mask stands with a suitcase cart piled with luggage on which her little son is sitting and eating an apple at the airport.
Survey: Americans Feel a Bit Less Hesitant to Travel
engineer using digital tablet working late night shift at petroleum oil refinery in industrial
Households Feel the Heat From Rising Natural Gas Prices
Two Women at Work
Jobless Claims Continue Descent, Hit New Pandemic Low
Hospital phlebotomist collecting blood sample from patient in lab
Here’s Where the Jobs Will and Won’t Be This Decade
Women seated at restaurant table with laptop and papers gazing at man seated before her
Workers Lose Spot in the Driver’s Seat, Survey Suggests
Masked shopkeeper hands bag to customer.
Spending Less Now? Here’s How It May Affect the Economy
Delivery woman driving van with packages on the front seat.
Gig Work Prevalence Highlights Impact of Lost Benefits
Waitress with a face mask and gloves cleaning tables with disinfectant in a cafe
Virus Cases Slam the Brakes on August Job Growth
BARATARIA, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 31: The Maldonado travel by boat to their home after it flooded during Hurricane Ida on August 31, 2021 in Barataria, Louisiana. "I've lost everything in my trailer because of the hurricane. I've lost everything, my family has lost everything and we're now trying to find help. We all live in this area and now its all gone," said Fusto Maldonado when asked about the storm's effect. Power is out throughout New Orleans and the surrounding area. Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on August 29 in Louisiana and brought flooding and wind damage along the Gulf Coast.
Ida’s Gulf Coast Flood Victims More Likely To Be Insured
Young Woman With Laptop
Jobless Claims Fall to 340,000, a New Pandemic Low
Customer comparing medicines by rack at pharmacy
White House Doubles Fourth-Quarter Inflation Outlook
Latin Ameriocan girl getting a COVID-19 vaccine
Vaccine Inequity Could Cost World Economy $2.3 Trillion
Man with calculator counting money and checking bills at home
Wages, Child Tax Credit Boost Household Income in July
A grocery's cashier checking out products.
Fed May Pare Bond Buying in 2021, but No Rate Hike Yet
Business man in the office, online conversation
Jobless Claims Barely Move as Progress Stalls
People Having a Business Meeting
Jobless Claims Drop to New Pandemic-Era Low
Chef working in kitchen
Fed To Pare Bond Buying if Employment Grows
Father with little daughter grocery shopping for dairy products in supermarket
July Retail Sales Fall As Spending Shifts to Services
Think it's time for a change
Consumer Sentiment Sinks as Virus Stokes Economy Fears
Prudent senior woman looking at her coupons before paying for her groceries.
Social Security Benefits Could Get 6.2% Inflation Hike
Chef Wearing Face Mask
At Restaurants, Prices Can’t Keep Up With Pay Hikes
Couple Filling Out Forms
Jobless Claims Fall for Third Straight Week
Young woman paying cashier in clothing shop
Inflation Cools a Tad, But Don’t Get Too Excited
Young woman working late and checking work email on mobile at home
Summer Bummer: Pandemic Spike Hits Consumer Confidence
Young adult woman searching for a job online at home
Job Openings Hit Record High for Fourth Straight Month
Waiter taking order from couple in restaurant
Consumer Credit Jumps in June, Fed Says
Smiling woman ready for interview while sitting at table in outdoor cafe
US Economy Adds 943,000 Jobs, Most in Nearly a Year
Man using laptop searching for vacancies online
Jobless Claims Show a Slight Improvement
Woman Shopping Online With Credit Card
Consumer Loan Demand Jumps As Banks Loosen Standards
Restaurant Manager talking with Waiter
Private Companies Add Fewer Jobs Than Expected in July
Adult Man With Beard and Glasses Texting In Office
Here’s Where Job Seekers Have the Best Pickings
Woman in Armchair Gazes at Laptop With World Globe at Her Elbow
Larger Paychecks Fuel June Spending Spree
Smiling friends sharing food during party at outdoor bar
US Economy Grows 6.5%, Now Above Pre-Pandemic Peak
A shot of a young college graduate calling for a job interview from home.
Jobless Claims Drop to 400,000
Masked Women Working in Cafe
Fed Says It’s Not Raising Rates, Inflation Not Alarming
Shot of a young couple going through their receipts at home after buying groceries.
IMF Sees Inflation in Check for Now but Warns of Risks
Businesswoman Driving With Ice Coffee
Returning to the Office? Consider Your Extra Expenses
A man working.
Indeed Job Postings Up 36.5% Over Pre-Pandemic Base
Young Woman Filling Out Job Application
Jobless Claims Jump Most Since Late March
As cinemas reopen, grandparents and their grandchildren watch a movie.
2020’s COVID-19 Recession Only Lasted 2 Months
Group of Friends Eating Out Together
Months After Stimulus Payments, Spending Goes On
Hispanic Man on Sofa Using Remote
Jobless Benefits Do Keep Some on Sidelines, Poll Shows
Lawyer on a meeting with young couple
Unemployment Claims Show Slow Progress
Salesman advising customer in car dealership.
Inflation Speeds Up Once Again, Now at 5.4%
Akha woman with her traditional costume in the market in Mae Salong, Thailand.
IMF: Inflation Could Last, Speed Up Interest Rate Hikes
Japanese male workers in a warehouse.
Unemployment Claims Tick Up, Resisting Full Recovery
Save African manager express opinion share thoughts during negotiations with client
Help Still Wanted: Job Openings Hit New Record in May
Chef Preparing Food in Restaurant Kitchen
Job Growth Heats Up in June, Adding 850,000 to Payrolls
Serious young woman using her mobile phone while sitting on sofa in the living room at home
Initial Unemployment Claims Hit a New Pandemic Low
Waiter Serving Burgers to Customers.
Consumers Leave the House, Ready To Spend
Young woman doing home finances in the evening.
The Pandemic Changed Saving Habits for Better and Worse
A young man sitting at a desk using a laptop in the library
Federal Government Forgives New Batch of Student Loans
A woman stands by the window in a kitchen and packs up before moving out.
Rents Surge in May, Following Pandemic Lull
Young Woman Working at Computer
Initial Unemployment Claims Up, First Time Since April
Male and Female Construction Workers
Builders Find Some Relief As Lumber Drops 40% From Peak
Businessman shaking hands with colleague after meeting in office
Consumers Like Their Chances in This Job Market
Young Asian businessman wearing a protective face mask and suit sits in business first class seat using a smartphone.
Inflation Rate Rises to 5%, Highest Since 2008
Two male co-workers looking at computer screen and concentrating
Small Businesses Feel Staffing Crunch