Jobless claims drop to 8-month low to end 2024 as Low U.S. unemployment fuels economy
Applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. decreased to an eight-month...
Applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. decreased to an eight-month low following Christmas, ending the year with notably few layoffs, indicative of a resilient economy. In the last week of 2024, new jobless claims dropped by 9,000 to 211,000. This compares to 198,000 in the same period of 2023. Over the past three years, jobless claims have consistently stayed in the low 200,000s, reflecting strong sales that enable most businesses to retain employees and limit layoffs to a last resort amid steady economic growth. However, it's important to note that seasonal adjustments made during the holiday period starting at Thanksgiving can affect the accuracy of these figures, sometimes overstating changes in jobless claims.
Massive winter storm to spread snow and ice from Plains to East Coast
A massive storm will spread snow and ice along a 1,500-mile-long zone...
A massive storm will spread snow and ice along a 1,500-mile-long zone from vast portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley to many areas of the Appalachians and the Atlantic coast from this weekend to early next week, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. Widespread travel problems will unfold and bitterly cold air will follow in many areas.
The storm is shaping up to be the first widespread cross-country winter storm of the season for the central and eastern United States and will negatively affect travel during the final days of the holiday break.
Markets: As a new year dawns on Wall Street, investors...
Markets: As a new year dawns on Wall Street, investors are hoping it’ll be much like the last two. The S&P 500 soared more than 23% in 2024—about what it gained in 2023. That’s the first back-to-back years of 20%+ gains since 1997–1998. Analysts aren’t expecting a three-peat this year, but they are relatively bullish, forecasting a 10% rise, on average, for the S&P in 2025.
The New York Stock Exchange will close next Thursday, Dec. 9, as part of a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday at 100.
An explainer of the visa debate that erupted among Trump supporters over the Christmas break.
Commercial aviation had its deadliest year since 2018 following two crashes in the last weeks of December.
The world’s 500 richest people gained $1.5 trillion in wealth last year, per Bloomberg. Collectively, their net worth reached $10 trillion for the first time.
Here are the top food trend predictions for the coming year, including sauce-on-everything and savory coffee.
Ukraine Forces a Halt to Flow of Natural Gas From Russia to Europe
The flow of natural gas through a major...
The flow of natural gas through a major pipeline from Russia to Europe was cut off early Wednesday after Ukraine refused to renew an agreement that allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory, according to officials in both countries.
The move to suspend the flow of gas through a pipeline that had carried Soviet and then Russian gas to Europe for decades is part of a broader campaign by Ukraine and its Western allies to undermine Moscow’s ability to fund its war effort and to limit the Kremlin’s ability to use energy as leverage in Europe.
“This is a historic event,” Ukraine’s energy minister, Herman Galushchenko, said in a statement. “Russia is losing markets, it will suffer financial losses.”
Oil prices forecast to hover near $70 per barrel in 2025
Oil prices are forecast to remain around $70 a barrel in 2025, as per...
Oil prices are forecast to remain around $70 a barrel in 2025, as per a Reuters poll. Brent crude is expected to average $74.33 per barrel, reflecting an eighth consecutive forecast reduction. U.S. crude is projected to be slightly lower at $70.86 per barrel. Weak demand from China, the world's largest oil importer, is contributing to the downward pressure on oil prices.