US GDP growth to slow from 2% this year to 1.8% in 2027: OECD forecast

“A sustained increase in oil and gas prices stemming from the evolving conflict in the Middle East would weigh more heavily on activity than currently assumed,” the OECD said.

By Jim Tyson • June 3, 2026

Job openings soar to two-year high as hiring falls, BLS says

The surge in job openings coincided with low levels of layoffs, quits and hiring, suggesting that the labor market, while firming somewhat, persists in a low-hire, low-fire mode.

By Jim Tyson • June 2, 2026

Manufacturing activity speeds up to fastest pace in four years: ISM

Steady manufacturing highlights how economic growth has so far overcome the shocks of high tariffs and the Iran war.

By Jim Tyson • June 1, 2026

Inflation rises, weakening consumer income, spending, saving rate

“Inflation is meaningfully above target, inflation expectations have been creeping higher and the public is highly sensitive to rising prices,” St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem said.

By Jim Tyson • May 28, 2026

Consumer confidence sags; most households cut spending due to inflation

Write-in survey responses from consumers this month leaned toward pessimism, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • May 26, 2026

Consumer sentiment falls to new low; cost of living ‘first-order’ worry

A sustained rise in long-run inflation expectations would likely increase the odds that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.

By Jim Tyson • May 22, 2026

Economic damage from Iran war ‘increasingly evident,’ S&P Global says

The economy during the second quarter will probably struggle to grow at an annualized rate of much more than 1%, according to S&P Global.

By Jim Tyson • May 21, 2026

Fed survey shows household view of US economy worsening

Before the war with Iran, 8% of adults said their family sometimes or often lacked enough food, the Federal Reserve said, citing survey results.

By Jim Tyson • May 18, 2026

AICPA seeks IRS relief on newly expanded excise tax

Without regulatory exceptions, some nonprofits could be forced to restructure their workforce or even close, the AICPA warned. 

By Danielle McLean • May 15, 2026

Retail sales slow to 0.5% growth as inflation erodes affordability

Wages rose at annual rate of just 3.6% in April, lagging inflation for the first time in three years and weakening household spending power.

By Jim Tyson • May 14, 2026

Producer prices jump to three-year high, spurred by war shortages

“I could envision a scenario in which some policy tightening is needed to ensure that inflation returns durably to 2%,” Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said.

By Jim Tyson • May 13, 2026

Inflation surges 3.8%, propelled by gas price, outpacing wage gains

The war-induced rise in price pressures may prompt the Federal Reserve to forgo a reduction in borrowing costs this year, economists said.

By Jim Tyson • May 12, 2026

SAP ramps up push to bring AI agents to finance teams

The rollout spans FP&A, tax, and treasury, as SAP moves to an end-to-end approach for automating finance workflows.

By Alexei Alexis • May 12, 2026

Iran war inflation crimps profits, plans for investment, hiring: NABE

Half of the respondents to a National Association for Business Economics survey put the odds of a U.S. recession in the next 12 months at 26% or higher.

By Jim Tyson • May 11, 2026

Labor market adds 115,000 jobs, exceeds forecasts despite Iran war

“Many businesses are catching up on hiring and investment decisions delayed last year due to tariff uncertainty,” said Bill Adams, chief U.S. economist at Fifth Third Commercial Bank.

By Jim Tyson • May 8, 2026

Rebound in hiring, steady job openings highlight firming labor market

Bureau of Labor Statistics data affirmed the view of many economists that the job market is poised at an unusual “low-hire, low-fire” balance.

By Jim Tyson • May 5, 2026

Economy rebounds to 2% growth in Q1, spurred by AI spending

The boost to economic growth from outlays on artificial intelligence may not counteract the drag from protracted conflict in the Middle East, according to economists.

By Jim Tyson • April 30, 2026

Fed holds main rate steady, notes risks to jobs, inflation from Iran war

Jerome Powell said after the end of his term as Federal Reserve Chair in May he will remain on the board as a governor to help ensure the Fed is free of political interference.

By Jim Tyson • Updated April 29, 2026

Consumer confidence unexpectedly inches up as view of jobs brightens

The improved outlook among consumers toward the labor market bolsters the argument among Federal Reserve officials opposing a cut to the main interest rate.

By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2026

Consumer sentiment sags to record low following gas price surge

Consumer expectations for inflation over the long term increased this month to 3.5%, the highest level since October 2025.

By Jim Tyson • April 24, 2026

Iran war slows growth in services, manufacturing: S&P Global

Worries about war-induced inflation, supply bottlenecks, the cost of living and government policy have eroded sentiments among services companies, S&P Global said.

By Jim Tyson • April 23, 2026

Warsh says he would not be Trump’s ‘sock puppet’ on monetary policy

Kevin Warsh during testimony to a Senate committee blamed Federal Reserve policymakers for stubborn, above-target inflation.

By Jim Tyson • April 21, 2026

AI expansion fuels robust M&A despite supply shocks: EY

Dealmakers in coming months will need to take into account Middle East turmoil and other economic strains, according to EY-Parthenon Chief Economist Greg Daco.

By Jim Tyson • April 20, 2026

Fed policy ‘well positioned’ to handle risks from Iran war, Williams says

A war-induced oil supply shock “has begun to play out,” John Williams, vice chair of the Federal Reserve's policy-setting committee said, noting rising prices for groceries and other consumer goods.

By Jim Tyson • April 16, 2026

Iran war prompts wait-and-see stance to pricing, hiring, investment: Fed

Many of the Federal Reserve’s 12 “districts continued to report signs of consumer financial strain, increased price sensitivity and rising demand at food banks,” the central bank said.

By Jim Tyson • April 15, 2026