Finance

But inflation remains a dirty word in much of America, making that tweak a tough sell. In a move that could help improve the optics of any change, Mr. Powell and his colleagues have involved ordinary people in the conversation. As central bankers and academic economists have gathered to consider the future, they have also […]

U.S. stocks closed broadly higher Tuesday, reversing a big portion of their losses from a sharp sell-off the day before January 28, 2020, 10:53 PM 2 min read U.S. stocks closed broadly higher Tuesday, reversing a big portion of their losses from a sharp sell-off the day before. The gains snapped a two-day skid in

Apple is still reaping huge profits from the iPhone while mining more moneymaking opportunities from the growing popularity of its smartwatch, digital services and wireless earbuds By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer January 28, 2020, 9:48 PM 2 min read SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is still reaping huge profits from the iPhone while mining more

This should be peak season for a 12-room hotel near the train station in the Chinese industrial hub of Wuhan. The Chinese New Year usually brings in plenty of travelers and delivers profits of around $3,000 a month. But the place is empty. Wuhan, the center of a deadly viral outbreak, is on lockdown. “There

A profound slump in manufacturing and a trade war that has slowed economic growth in China has led to a second round of layoffs at 3M By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer January 28, 2020, 5:36 PM 3 min read A profound slump in manufacturing and a trade war that has slowed economic growth in

U.S. consumer confidence showed a strong gain in January, bolstered by continued strength in the job market January 28, 2020, 3:35 PM 1 min read WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence showed a strong gain in January, bolstered by continued strength in the job market. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose

Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods rose 2.4% in December, led by defense surge By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer January 28, 2020, 1:35 PM 1 min read WASHINGTON — Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods rose in December as a big jump in demand for military aircraft offset a sharp

A French climate alliance of charity groups and local authorities launched an unprecedented legal action Tuesday against Total, hoping to make the French energy company drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions January 28, 2020, 11:28 AM 2 min read A French climate alliance of charity groups and local authorities launched an unprecedented legal action Tuesday

TOKYO — Panic and pollution drive the market for protective face masks, so business is booming in Asia, where fear of the virus from China is straining supplies and helping make mask-wearing the new normal. Demand for face masks and hand sanitizing liquid has soared, as both local residents and visitors from China stock up

TOKYO — Asian shares skidded again Tuesday on deepening worries over the expanding outbreak of a new virus in China. Markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China were closed Tuesday for Lunar New Year holidays, while South Korea’s benchmark tumbled 3.1% to 2,176.72 as it reopened after its own holidays. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index