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.
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
Serious woman looking at cookies in grocery store.
Economists See Shortages Crimping GDP Growth
Chef Preparing Food in Restaurant Kitchen
Job Growth Heats Up in June, Adding 850,000 to Payrolls
Family flying on an airplane.
Are We There Yet? Air Travel Soars Back
Real estate agent with couple in luxury home.
People Are on the Move Again and Rents Are Spiking
Businesswomen Talking in Office
Desperate Employers Try Bonuses to Lure Workers
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
Manager and worker reviewing paperwork in factory
Progress in Weekly Unemployment Claims Levels Off
Young woman doing home finances in the evening.
The Pandemic Changed Saving Habits for Better and Worse
Woman with face mask travelling in metro during COVID-19 outbreak.
People Are Anxious About Returning to In-Person Work
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
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell adjusts his eyeglasses.
Fed Maintains Stance, but Sees 2023 Rate Hike
Men Unloading Cargo from Ship
Container Shortage Leaves People Waiting, Paying More
Male and Female Construction Workers
Builders Find Some Relief As Lumber Drops 40% From Peak
Two friends in bar looking at drink menu together before ordering
Restaurants Return to Pre-Pandemic Sales Numbers in May
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
Worker opening the door at a cafe wearing a facemask.
Downward March in Unemployment Claims Continues
Two male co-workers looking at computer screen and concentrating
Small Businesses Feel Staffing Crunch
Serious adult woman looking receipts at home
FTC Refunds Underscore Pitfalls of Rent-To-Own Plans
Woman Working at Computer
Workers Gain the Upper Hand As Job Openings Hit Record
Manager and Worker in Warehouse
Strong Jobs Growth Is Ahead, The Conference Board Says
Woman shopping online with her toddler baby in the lap.
Revolving Credit Balances Stay Low, but for How Long?
Caucasian farmer crouching in field checking crop.
Global Food Prices Hit 10-Year High After May Spike
U.S. President Joe Biden walks toward Marine One for a departure at the Ellipse, south of the White House, June 2, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden will spend two nights at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.
White House: States Have Right to Cut Off Unemployment
Businessman
Job Growth Doubles in May but Still Misses Expectations
Colleagues creating new business strategy.
Latest Gauges Buoy Hopes Ahead of Jobs Report
Young Couple Looking at Food Bill
Inflation’s Everywhere, Not Just in the U.S., OECD Says
Young Couple With Financial Advisor
Ally Bank Does Away With Overdraft Fees
Middle Eastern woman looking at car for sale.
Americans Hit the Gas on Car Buying
Restaurant manager reading resume and interviewing young woman for job.
Workers Are Needed Right Away, Job Ads Increasingly Say
Two Women in Corporate Office
HSBC Gives Up on Mass Retail Banking, Sells Branches
Waitress Wearing Face Mask Serving Food
‘The Floodgates Are Finally Open’ on Services Spending
Backpacking Couple Exploring Local Market
Fed’s Preferred Inflation Measure Hits 28-Year High
Real estate agent showing a property
Hot Housing Market Extends to Rentals As Prices Surge
Elon Musk Awarded with Axel Springer Award in Berlin.
Billionaires’ Share of Economy Grows Ever Larger
Portrait of cheerful young manager handshake
Weekly Jobless Claims Drop Again, Sustaining Momentum
Masked Restaurant Worker and Customer
Vaccine Not Yet a Shot in the Arm for the Economy
Woman Wearing Face Mask Running Mobile Coffee Shop Serving Female Customer Next To Van.
Record-High Index Shows Economy Has More Upside
Happy Family With Realtor
Inflation May Be Understated Without Home Prices
Woman using laptop at home at night
Is High Inflation Here To Stay?
Young Professional Woman in City
Jobless Claims Again Move Closer to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Smiling senior woman buying vegetables at farmer's market.
Seniors Lead the Way Back to In-Person Grocery Shopping
Chef placing plate of food on service counter
Retail Sales Show Spending Spree Continued in April
Senior Couple Clipping Coupons
Cost of Living Boost for Seniors Lags Inflation