Hormuz Strait blockade would slow Q2 economy at 2.9 pp annual rate

Factors such as higher insurance rates “could cause the oil price increase to be more substantial than our model suggests,” Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas economists said.

By Jim Tyson • March 23, 2026

Economy before Iran war signaled slower future growth: Conference Board

“This is looking like it’s going to be a protracted conflict, and oil prices are going to stay high for a longer time,” Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said.

By Jim Tyson • March 20, 2026

Jobless claims fall to two-month low as lull in layoffs, hiring persists

Unemployment will likely hold steady at 4.4% throughout this year, according to a median estimate by Federal Reserve officials released Wednesday.

By Jim Tyson • March 19, 2026

Fed holds rates steady, flags uncertainty as oil price soars amid war

The Fed faces a policy dilemma as the Iran war spurs a jump in energy prices, threatening to increase inflation, slow economic growth and push up unemployment.

By Jim Tyson • Updated March 18, 2026

CBP is working on 4-step tariff refund process

The agency detailed progress it’s made developing a dedicated system to process refunds for International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs in a court filing.

By Phil Neuffer • March 16, 2026

Jobless claims fall, countering signs of dimming employment outlook

The Federal Reserve next week will assess mixed signals from the job market and the risk that the Iran war will further push up the price of oil, spurring inflation.

By Jim Tyson • March 12, 2026

Costco sued by customer seeking tariff refunds

The proposed class action suit seeks to recoup IEEPA-tariff costs an Illinois customer alleges the retailer passed on through higher prices.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 12, 2026

CEOs aim to boost capital spending, expect strong future sales: survey

CEO survey results “point to the impact of last year’s tax reforms, responsible deregulation and the resilience of the U.S. economy,” Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said.

By Jim Tyson • March 11, 2026

Small business optimism dips below forecast as sales expectations slump

Nineteen percent of small business owners ranked taxes as their biggest problem, the National Federation of Independent Business found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • March 10, 2026

Surging oil price spurs worries of eventual stagflation during Iran war

U.S. consumers have felt a shock at the gas pump, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas jumping 16% during the past week to $3.48.

By Jim Tyson • March 9, 2026

Economy unexpectedly sheds 92,000 jobs as war spurs inflation worries

Shrinking payrolls prompted traders in interest rate futures to predict a faster pace of monetary policy easing.

By Jim Tyson • March 6, 2026

Costco to flow tariff refunds, ‘if and when’ received, back to customers

CEO Ron Vachris said Thursday that the retailer is committed to returning any potential refunds to its customers through “lower prices and better values.”

By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 6, 2026

Rising CEO, CFO optimism fuels business investment: AICPA survey

Expectations of lower borrowing costs and pro-growth economic policies this year have sparked optimism among top financial executives, according to a survey.

By Jim Tyson • March 5, 2026

Service sector grows at fastest pace since mid-2022: ISM

“The services sector is heating up,” according to Steve Miller, chair of the services business survey committee at the Institute for Supply Management.

By Jim Tyson • March 4, 2026

Small businesses flag inflation as biggest challenge: Fed survey

The widening war in the Persian Gulf may spur inflation if it halts shipments of oil and other energy commodities for an extended period, according to economists.

By Jim Tyson • March 3, 2026

Manufacturing grows for second straight month despite headwinds: ISM

A lengthy conflict in the Middle East may sustain high energy prices and jeopardize gains in manufacturing this year.

By Jim Tyson • March 2, 2026

Producer prices rise more than forecast, affirming inflation persistence

Measures of inflation have sent mixed signals in the past several weeks, prompting some Federal Reserve officials to favor collecting more data before further easing.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 27, 2026

Most tax preparers not subject to standards, prone to costly errors: GAO

Efforts in Congress to pass legislation holding all tax preparers to clear federal standards have repeatedly fizzled out.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 25, 2026

Corporations await more OBBBA tax guidance

As IRS guidance trickles in, unanswered questions remain around how firms should implement the new law’s tax provisions, according to Alvarez & Marsal tax experts.

By Stephen Joyce • Feb. 25, 2026

Consumer confidence inches up on brighter view of job market

The slight gain in confidence reflects consumers’ caution as economic data telegraph mixed signals.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 24, 2026

Deficit reduction looms as top U.S. policy imperative: NABE survey

The impact on the U.S. fiscal outlook from a Supreme Court ruling against Trump administration tariffs has flared into a public debate between administration officials and policy analysts.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 23, 2026

GDP growth falls short of forecast, slowed by federal shutdown

Declining exports also weighed on the economy last quarter as severe shifts in U.S. trade policy disrupted commercial relations with the nation’s largest trading partners.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 20, 2026

Supreme Court invalidates Trump tariffs based on emergency powers

In a 6-3 decision, the court rejected President Trump's claim that a 1977 law gave him the authority to impose broad tariffs globally.

By Antone Gonsalves • Feb. 20, 2026

Economic data point to soft start to 2026, Conference Board says

The U.S. economy, while continuing a nearly six-year-old expansion, has spun off mixed signals in recent months.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 19, 2026

Fed officials voiced concern inflation persists above 2% target

Several central bankers at a policy meeting last month warned against giving any hint of a weaker commitment to pushing down price pressures.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 18, 2026