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☆ Many large U.S. cities are in deep financial trouble. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Municipal governments across the United States are looking to rein in spending as pandemic-era stimulus dries up and inflation lingers for longer than expected. The group issued a AA investment grade general obligation bond rating for New York City in March 2024. The financial challenges within cities appear to be mounting despite high municipal credit ratings and robust demand for urban commodities like housing. "I think we can all agree that we're broke," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a March 2024 City Council budget hearing. Meanwhile, in the case of New York City, leaders remain optimistic about future returns.

Persons: Michael Rinaldi, Brad Lander, Sheila Weinberg, we're, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Weinberg, We've, Lander, Eric Adams, Rinaldi, Adams Organizations: Fitch, AA, New, Truth, University of Denver, New York, Apple, Houston Mayor, Accounting, CNBC, Lander Locations: United States, U.S, New York City, Chicago, Houston, Portland , Oregon, New York

☆ How the U.S. government is regulating artificial intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. government is considering laws to help society adapt to the introduction of artificial intelligence. Economists have worried for years that artificial intelligence could sink job prospects for white-collar workers, similar to the effects globalization has had on blue-collar workers in the past. In 2023, lawmakers in the New York State Assembly put forward a measure to limit the expected impact of tech-driven layoffs with robot taxes. Many economists have said that robot taxes, if used at all, should be set at a relatively low level. Watch the video above to learn more about the U.S. government's plan to regulate artificial intelligence.

Persons: Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Sora, Sam Altman, Erik Brynjolfsson, Brynjolfsson Organizations: CNBC, Force, European Union, Stanford Institute for, International Monetary Fund, New York State, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Locations: U.S, Brussels, United States

☆ Why Amtrak is attempting to revive the Texas Central bullet train
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In 2023, Amtrak revived hopes for the bullet train in the Texas Triangle, when it announced its intention to broaden its partnership with Texas Central. The Texas Central project has been repeatedly delayed as its backers navigate various regulatory hurdles, including environmental reviews and disputes over property rights. The proposed alignment for the Texas high-speed rail project crosses Morney-Berry Farm, which Berry's family has cultivated for generations. And in late 2023, Texas Central received a Corridor ID program grant to study the route's potential for partnership with Amtrak. The backers of Texas Central declined repeated requests from CNBC for a comment on the project's progress and expected completion date.

Persons: Andy Byford, Seth Moulton, Brianne Glover, Jody Berry, Berry, Biden, Troy Nehls Organizations: U.S, Texas Central, Amtrak, Fort Worth metroplex, Texas, Dallas, CNBC, University's Transportation Institute, Texas Supreme Court, Reason, U.S ., Japan Bank, International Cooperation, Speed Rail Authority Locations: Texas, Dallas, Houston, U.S, It's, Berry, Japan, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco

☆ Why U.S. renters are taking corporate landlords to court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Equity Residential purchased Portside Towers in 2019. A group of renters in the U.S. say their landlords are using software to deliver inflated rent hikes. Renters told CNBC they discovered how revenue management software is used in real estate after reading a 2022 ProPublica investigation. Equity Residential investor materials show that the company started to experiment with Lease Rent Options between 2005 and 2008. Equity Residential and other defendant landlords declined to comment on ongoing RealPage litigation.

Persons: RealPage, District of Columbia Brian Schwalb, We've, Kevin Weller, There's, Jeffrey Roper, Thoma, Thoma Bravo, Harry Gural, Gural, we're, Mark Parrell Organizations: Washington , D.C, District of Columbia, CNBC, Equity Residential, Towers, World Trade, RealPage, U.S . Department of Justice, Equity, U.S, Thoma Bravo, U.S . Locations: Washington ,, RealPage, Jersey City , New Jersey, Portside, U.S, Miami, Van Ness, Jersey City, Atlanta, Austin , Texas, U.S . East

☆ Why the U.S. may extend its run as the world's leading economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S., China and India may take turns leading the global economy this century, according to an analysis from the Centre for Economics and Business Research. The CEBR forecast suggests China could potentially take the top spot as the world's largest economy by gross domestic product as early as 2037. "The ranking of which is the largest economy in the world — that doesn't take into account things like living standards. Around the world, policymakers are spending large sums of public funds to prepare for social and environmental challenges that may be ahead. Watch the video above to learn more about the race to be the world's largest economy.

Persons: Nina Skero, Mariana Mazzucato, we're, China that's, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Yasheng Huang, Rajiv Biswas Organizations: U.S, Centre for Economics, Business Research, University College London, Washington, MIT Sloan School of Management, P Global Market Intelligence, CNBC Locations: China, India, U.S, Japan, South Korea, Asia, Pacific

☆ Why U.S. ports are getting a $21 billion upgrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-17 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. ports are receiving multimillion dollar grants to upgrade cargo handling infrastructure. The grants are part of the Biden administration's $21 billion commitment to modernize port infrastructure in the U.S.Midsize port cities such as Baltimore are among the 2023 grant recipients. In November, the Port of Baltimore received a $47 million grant to kick-start an offshore wind manufacturing hub, among other improvements. More than $653 million in Port Infrastructure Development Program grants were awarded to U.S. ports in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Ports America formed a public-private partnership with the state of Maryland to manage equipment and operations in sections of the Port of Baltimore.

Persons: John Deere, Walter Kemmsies Organizations: Biden, BMW, Maryland Port Administration, Port Infrastructure Development Program, U.S . Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Tacoma Husky, North, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S . Department of Defense, Kemmsies, Port Authority of, CNBC, Midwest ., Port Locations: U.S, Baltimore, Port, Washington, Long Beach , California, Port Authority of Georgia, Savannah, Maryland, Port of Baltimore, Midwest

☆ Zombie firms are filing for bankruptcy as the Fed commits to higher rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"The share of zombie firms has been increasing over time," said Bruno Albuquerque, an economist at the International Monetary Fund. "This has detrimental effects on healthy firms who compete in the same sector." Zombie firms are unprofitable businesses that stay afloat by taking on new debt. Economists say that zombie firms may become more prevalent when banks or governments bail out unviable firms. Watch the video above to learn more about the Fed's battle with unviable zombie firms in the U.S.

Persons: Bruno Albuquerque, Banks, Kathryn Judge, Lotfi Karoui, Goldman Sachs, Jerome Powell Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Columbia University, Economists, Reserve, Economic, of New Locations: U.S, of New York

☆ Here's how New York City is planning to spend $15 billion raised from a new congestion pricing toll
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The toll may produce up to $15 billion for investment within the aging MTA system. For example, particulate matter emissions from stop-and-go traffic can stoke diseases such as asthma. "In London, they've had a reduction of nearly 20% in particulate matter pollution," said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "There's a 15% reduction in particulate matter in Stockholm, which resulted in a 50% reduction in asthma." Watch the video above to see how New York City is spending cash raised by its massive new toll.

Persons: Janette Sadik, Richard Davey, Davey, they've, Julie Tighe, Mollie Cohen D'Agostino Organizations: U.S, New York City's Department of Transportation, Metro, Bronx ., New, Transit Authority, MTA, CNBC, Regional, New York League of Conservation Voters, University of California, Davis Locations: York City, Manhattan, New, Bronx, New York, Milan, London, Singapore, Stockholm, New York City

☆ How Wall Street's REIT giants are reshaping U.S. real estate
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S real estate investment trusts today manage $4.5 trillion in real estate worldwide. KKR's real estate business is one of the big players in the REIT game. The KKR Real Estate Select Trust, which currently manages $1.5 billion in assets, paid a dividend of 5.4% to its investors in July 2023. said Billy Butcher, CEO of KKR's global real estate business. Watch the video above to learn the fundamentals of real estate investment trusts.

Persons: Billy Butcher, Sher Hafeez, Jones Lang LaSalle, Michael Pestronk, REITs Organizations: KKR, Trust, CNBC, Jones, P Global Investments, Post, Invitation Locations: Philadelphia

☆ 15 years of low interest rates reshaped the U.S. economy. Here's what's changing as rates stay higher for longer
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The United States is entering a new economic era as the Federal Reserve hikes its benchmark interest rate. As interest rates climb, economists say financial conditions are headed back to being more normal. Government bonds, Treasury securities and savings accounts all return very little yield when interest rates are low. At the same time, low interest rates increase the value of stocks, homes and Wall Street firms that make money by taking on debt. "Barring a catastrophe, I don't think we'll see lower interest rates any time soon," said Mark Hamrick, Washington bureau chief at Bankrate.com.

Persons: Roger Ferguson, we'd, Gregory Daco, Mark Hamrick Organizations: Federal, Federal Reserve, Wall Street Locations: States, America, EY, Washington, Bankrate.com, U.S

☆ East Coast mayors call for more office-to-apartment conversions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mayors in cities across the U.S. want to loosen rules that can slow the pace of office-to-residential conversions. In some instances, cities have offered generous tax abatements to developers who build new housing. Prominent investors Societe Generale and KKR have worked with developers like Philadelphia-based Post Brothers to finance institutional-scale office conversions in expensive central business districts. Many experts believe local governments will alter zoning laws and building codes to make these conversions easier over the years. Watch the video above to learn how cities are getting developers to convert more offices into apartments.

Persons: Muriel Bowser, Erica Williams, Eric Adams, Michael Pestronk, Dan Garodnick Organizations: DC, Societe Generale, KKR, Brothers, Post, New York City's Department of, Planning Locations: U.S, Washington, DC, New York City, Philadelphia

☆ Why wealthy Americans love UBS, the secretive Swiss banking giant
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

With its $3.2 billion acquisition of Credit Suisse, UBS is poised to climb the ranks of global mega banks. Additionally, U.S. senators claim that Credit Suisse maintained accounts linked to Nazi clients as recently as 2020. The Swiss National Bank pledged over $100 billion in liquidity support to broker UBS's rapid takeover of Credit Suisse. In the deal, Credit Suisse shareholders expect to trade in 22.48 shares for 1 UBS share. "By and large, what the Swiss government mostly did is impose losses on creditors and shareholders of Credit Suisse," said Véron.

Persons: Nicolas Véron Organizations: Credit Suisse, UBS, Experts, Swiss, Bankers, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington , D.C, Swiss National Bank, AG Locations: Switzerland, United States, Singapore, New York, Swiss, Washington ,, Brussels, U.S

☆ Americans are saving far less than normal in 2023. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. personal savings rate remains below its historical average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of personal saving was 4.6% in February. That's well below the average annual rate of more than 8%, according to the data, which traces back to 1959. Collectively, Americans have trillions in excess savings compared with expectations leading up to the pandemic, according to Federal Reserve economists. Watch the video above to learn about how the personal savings rate affects you and the wider economy.

☆ U.S. trains keep derailing. Why?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Washington lawmakers are scrutinizing the freight rail industry as a string of derailments unfold in 2023. "Trains got heavier and longer," said Mark Burrows, a former locomotive engineer. The National Transportation Safety Board, which released preliminary findings in February, is conducting a full investigation of the crash. "This was 100% preventable," said Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, at a February press conference focused on the preliminary report. Watch the video above to learn more about the freight rail industry and what might be leading to the current rash of train derailments in the U.S.

☆ U.S. cities are filling up with luxury apartments despite 'housing recession'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Scores of luxury homes are coming to major cities across the United States. "You often see new housing branded as 'luxury,' in part because it's new," said Ethan Handelman, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "When you get to affordable housing, we need to be providing some additional capital and/or rental assistance to help make that housing affordable to the people who need it most." Builders say the high cost of housing in the U.S. is related to the large amount of regulation in the housing sector. In 2022, the Biden administration announced a housing action plan that aims to shore up housing supply within five years.

☆ Wall Street has purchased hundreds of thousands single-family homes since the Great Recession. Here's what that means for rental prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Institutional investors may control 40% of U.S. single-family rental homes by 2030, according to MetLife Investment Management. And a group of Washington, D.C., lawmakers believe that Wall Street needs to back away from the market. Khanna is the lead author of the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act of 2022. "What's outrageous is your tax dollars are helping Wall Street buy up single-family homes," he said in an interview with CNBC. Since the early 2010s, Tricon Residential, Progress Residential, American Homes 4 Rent, Invitation Homes have each bought thousands of homes.

☆ Making salary ranges public may shrink pay gaps but slow wage growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The rise of pay transparency laws in the United States could change how the nation's workers negotiate their annual salaries in today's fast-changing labor market. As layoffs mount in the face of recession fears, the increased number of job seekers will be seeing more positions in states that mandate pay ranges be publicly listed. The rise of these pay transparency laws could boost wages for minorities and women, who may be paid less than their peers. Nuances of rising pay transparency were highlighted in a report Pakzad-Hurson co-authored in the National Bureau of Economic Research. Watch the video above to learn more about the rise and potential implications of pay transparency.

☆ How the Federal Reserve affected 2022's stock market
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Reserve, over its more than centurylong existence, has emerged as a leading force in the stock market. The guidance often hints at the expected path of the federal funds interest rate target in advance of a policy change. That has many people on Wall Street waiting for the central bank to pivot, and bring interest rates back down. Nonetheless, many experts believe that central bank policy is only one piece of the puzzle. Watch the video above to learn how the Fed shaped 2022's stock market.

☆ How Atlanta's growing economy burned low-income renters and homebuyers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"It's a huge increase in population," said Dan Immergluck, a professor of urban studies at Georgia State University. "Atlanta is becoming a wider city," said Nathaniel Smith, founder and chief equity officer at the Partnership for Southern Equity. Some Atlanta locals believe ambitious urban redevelopment projects, such as the BeltLine, have contributed to fast-rising prices in the area. "We've put about $700 million into the BeltLine to date," said Atlanta BeltLine Inc. CEO Clyde Higgs. That has caused a number of good things and also a number of pressures within the city of Atlanta."

☆ What's driving Georgia's record early-voter turnout
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Multiple high-stakes races on the ballot in Georgia have drawn record levels of early-voter turnout, according to state officials. Through the first days of early voting, a record 1.017 million people cast ballots in the state, according to a press release from Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. This preliminary news of high turnout follows a controversial revision to state-level election administration procedures authorized by Georgia Gov. "We had a lot of problems with the 2020 election," said Christian Zimm, a Republican running to represent Georgia's 5th Congressional District. Watch the video above to see what's driving Atlanta's record early-voter turnout.

☆ Here's what the Wells Fargo cross-selling scandal means for the bank's growth
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Wells Fargo is one of the oldest and most powerful banks in the United States. Regulators for banking, consumer protection, trading, and workplace safety continue to keep a close watch on Wells Fargo. In addition to fines, Wells Fargo has faced a cap on its assets, issued by the Federal Reserve in 2018. The issues at Wells Fargo are still unfolding. Watch the video to see how the Wells Fargo scandal positions the bank in 2022.

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