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Sales of single-family homes were down 12% in September compared with the same time in the previous year. But interest rates, rising home prices and skyrocketing insurance costs likely played bigger roles than the recent hurricanes. “Florida recovers much faster than you think,” said Brad O’Connor, chief economist for Florida Realtors. Because of stricter building codes implemented in the years after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992, newer homes withstand hurricanes better than older ones, O’Connor said. The number of households dropped from about 340,000 to about 326,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Persons: ”, Brad O’Connor, Hurricane Andrew, O’Connor, ‘, Hurricane Ian Organizations: Florida Realtors, . Census, Van Lines, Associated Press Locations: Florida, South Florida, Lee County, Fort Myers, United States

☆ Inside a 1760 schoolhouse for Black children is a complicated history of slavery and resilience
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The museum, Colonial Williamsburg, also has identified more than 80 children who lined its pinewood benches in the 1760s. Colonial Williamsburg tells the story of Virginia’s colonial capital through interpreters and hundreds of restored buildings. 18th century nails shoved in between hand craved joints in the stairs leading up to the second floor of the Williamsburg Bray School. And those are the things that give you strength — to know what your family has come through.”Janice Canaday outside the Williamsburg Bray School on Oct 30, 2024. Last year, it was transported to Colonial Williamsburg, which includes parts of the original city.

Persons: Phoebe, Isaac Bee, Bee, John C, Clark, ”, Maureen Elgersman Lee, William, “, ” Lee, Janice Canaday, Elisha, Mary Jones, Canaday, ” Janice Canaday, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Bray, Virginia, Ann Wager, Jones, Ashby, Elizabeth Drembus, ” Drembus, Katie McKinney, “ Beg, ” Canaday, Wager Organizations: Williamsburg Bray School, Mary’s Bray School, Bray School, Bray, Colonial America, William, ” Locations: WILLIAMSBURG, Va, —, Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg, Aberdeen, Bristol, Williamsburg, London, Colonial, Germany, sheepskin

☆ New York state officials seize Instagram-famous squirrel named Peanut from owner
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Longo brought Peanut home and cared for him for eight months before trying to release the squirrel into the great outdoors. Longo determined that Peanut lacked the survival skills to live in the wild and would remain an indoor squirrel. Longo is aware that it’s against New York state law to own a wild animal without a license. “If we’re not following the rules, guide us in the right direction to follow the rules, you know?” Longo said. Longo is not the first animal owner to protest the confiscation of a pet by New York authorities.

Persons: Fred, —, Mark Longo’s, Longo, ”, “, Mark Longo's, Mark Longo, ” Longo, Instagram, Peanut, Daniela, we’re Organizations: of Environmental, of Environmental Conservation, DEC, New York City, USA Locations: York, Pennsylvania, Pine City, N.Y, New York, Norwalk , Connecticut, Buffalo

☆ A new way for Russia to cement its hold on Ukraine: dirt-cheap mortgages
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A major Russian bank launched a 2% mortgage rate that is available only in occupied Ukraine. The incentive is in keeping with other Russian attempts to cement its hold on occupied Ukraine. AdvertisementRussia is debuting a rock-bottom mortgage rate with a catch: it's only available if you live in a warzone. "The aim is to consolidate Russia's long-term presence — through 30-year loans, which is highly unusual in Russia — in the occupied Ukrainian regions," she told Business Insider. Ukraine says Russia has offered financial incentives, up to 5 million rubles or $51,000, to Russians who move there.

Persons: —, VTB, Agathe Demarais, topsy Organizations: Service, Russia's VTB Bank, NATO, geoeconomics, European Council, Foreign Relations, Reuters Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Luhansk, Donetsk, Ukrainian

☆ JD Vance says pumping more oil will make housing cheaper. Economists say that's a stretch.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Both presidential campaigns have discussed ideas for cutting housing costs. Economists say lowering labor and building material costs is far more important to home building. Housing policy experts and economists disagree, saying lower energy costs would not significantly boost construction or make homes cheaper. Notably, under the Biden administration, the US has produced and exported more crude oil than ever before in the country's history, even as housing costs have soared. AdvertisementLabor costs and cutting red tape are also keyLabor costs are generally growing as a portion of overall construction costs, Basu said.

Persons: JD Vance, Trump, —, Donald Trump, Sen, Vance didn't, I'm, Anirban Basu, they're, Basu, Biden, Andrew Justus, Justus, might've, Vance, Nolan Gray, they'll, hasn't, Kamala Harris Organizations: Service, Biden, Associated Builders and Contractors, Trump, Niskanen, Labor Locations: Nevada, California

☆ How the cost of childcare is expected to change under Trump or Harris
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have both talked about the importance of making childcare more affordable. Below are three elements of the childcare equation and what the Harris and the Trump camps have either proposed or already done. Child tax creditsTrump and Harris have both proposed expanding the child tax credit, which currently provides up to $2,000 per child. Harris' child tax credit policy would restore the enhanced pandemic-era credit, giving parents up to $3,600 annually per child, with the amount dependent on a child's age and family income. The US's pandemic-era child tax credit expired at the end of 2021 because Republicans in Congress opposed it.

Persons: Harris, Trump, —, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden's, Grant —, Anne Hedgepeth, Cindy Lehnhoff, Vance, hasn't Organizations: Service, Business, Child Care, Child Care Association, Budget

☆ Passing down an inheritance? Here's how to handle these 4 complicated assets — including houses and retirement funds.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Christine Ji | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A way to get around this is to split the overall estate balance equally instead of divvying up individual assets, Snow recommended. You can also liquidate the business, which will convert business assets into cash quickly. AdvertisementSimilar to a family business, these assets might hold a lot of sentimental value but might not be easily passed down. Donating collections can be an effective way to circumvent capital gains and estate taxes. Confront potential disagreements over assets like a house early on, and make sure to provide details on complex assets like a family business.

Persons: —, Snow, who's, They'll, Roth, We've Organizations: Service, Business, Cresset

☆ Passing down an inheritance? Here's how to handle these 4 complicated assets — including houses and retirement funds
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Christine Ji | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Beware of legal and tax complications for common assets such as houses and retirement funds. You can also liquidate the business, which will convert business assets into cash. Like a family business, these assets might have a lot of sentimental value but might not be easily passed down. Donating collections can be an effective way to circumvent capital-gains and estate taxes. Confront disagreements about assets like a house early on, and provide details about complex assets like a family business.

Persons: —, who've, Snow, who's, They'll, Roth, We've Organizations: Service, Business, Cresset

☆ Expect the unexpected in the jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

In any other month, the finishing touch would be a clean reading on the labor market from the official jobs report. However, a common thread among economists is that the strikes and hurricanes could take a 100,000-job bite out of the October jobs report. The last time there were back-to-back major hurricanes — Harvey and Irma in 2017 — the forecasts for the following month’s jobs report were for a loss of 33,000 positions. And each contribute to two of the biggest numbers in the monthly jobs report. A key date to keep in mind for the jobs report is October 12, as it anchors the “reference period” for both surveys.

Persons: ’, Claudia Sahm, “ It’s, That’s, aren’t, FactSet, Joe Brusuelas, — Harvey, Irma, Sahm, Oliver Allen, Milton, ”, Harris, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump’s, We’re, Biden, Jared Bernstein, Joe Biden’s, “ Organizations: CNN, Boeing, Reserve, New Century Advisors, Labor, Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, of Labor, Challenger, ADP, BLS, RSM, Pantheon Macroeconomics, Republicans, The New York Times, Siena College, Associated Press Locations: Washington and Oregon

☆ What top US CEOs are worried about when it comes to a Trump or Harris presidency
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . With Harris, the corporate tax rate is top of mind for business leaders. Harris is looking to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%, a move Bank of America estimates could lead to a 5% hit to earnings . Bolten said leaders' concerns don't stem from wanting to keep taxes low to reward themselves and their shareholders. In the five years before 2017's tax reform, 27 substantial US companies relocated their headquarters outside the US due to the tax rate, Bolten said, while there have been zero since the tax cut.

Persons: —, Harris, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Joshua Bolten, Trump's, Bolten, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, Ella Hopkins, Milan Sehmbi, Amanda Yen Organizations: Business, Service, Bank of America Locations: United States, New York, London

☆ Instagram-famous squirrel named Peanut seized by New York state authorities
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Mark Longo with his pet squirrel, Peanut. Longo brought Peanut home and cared for him for eight months before trying to release the squirrel into the great outdoors. Longo is aware that it’s against New York state law to own a wild animal without a license. “If we’re not following the rules, guide us in the right direction to follow the rules, you know?” Longo said. Longo is not the first animal owner to protest the confiscation of a pet by New York authorities.

Persons: Fred, –, Mark Longo’s, Longo, Mark Longo, ”, “, ” Longo, Instagram, Peanut, Daniela, we’re Organizations: of Environmental Conservation, AP, DEC, New York City, USA Locations: York, Pennsylvania, Pine City, New York, Norwalk , Connecticut, Buffalo

☆ A California couple built a $500,000 ADU in their parents' backyard when they couldn't afford to buy a traditional house
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementNewlyweds Aislyn and Ali Benjamin felt they couldn't afford to buy a traditional property in their corner of California — Danville, a small city just over an hour's drive east of San Francisco. Financing and building the ADU cost a total of $500,000, paid by the couple with help from their parents. Advertisement"The main reason we chose to do this is to stay close to our work," Ali Benjamin told Business Insider. An overview of the Benjamins' ADU in the Bay Area, where the couple lives full-time. The kitchen of the Benjamins' ADU.

Persons: Aislyn, Ali Benjamin, —, Realtor.com, San Ramon — Aislyn, Ali, Villa, ADU, Ali Benjamin's, Ali Benjamin said Organizations: Service, Danville ., Benjamins, Business, Urban Institute, Villa Villa, Backyard, Villa Locations: California — Danville, San Francisco, Danville, San Ramon, Bay, California, Los Angeles, San Jose

☆ China new home prices grow slightly faster in Oct, private survey shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

People look at models of houses at the 2021 Dalian autumn real estate fair at Dalian World Expo Center on October 15, 2021 in Dalian, Liaoning Province of China. Prices of new homes in China rose at a faster pace in October, traditionally a peak season for house hunting, a private survey showed on Friday, suggesting that recent support measures could be having some early impact in a crisis-hit market. The average price across 100 cities edged up 0.29%, compared with the previous month's 0.14%, according to data released by property researcher China Index Academy. On a year-on-year basis, the average price rose 2.08% versus 1.85% growth in September. Average new home prices fell 0.02% from a month earlier in smaller cities last month, the China Index Academy data showed.

Persons: Nomura Organizations: Dalian, China Index, Authorities, Nomura Locations: Dalian, Liaoning Province of China, China, Shanghai, Beijing

☆ Soldier charged with murder after sergeant found dead in dumpster at Missouri base
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Antonio Planas | Antonio Planas Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A soldier stationed in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri has been charged with murder in the death of a sergeant whose body was found inside a dumpster at the base, officials said. Specialist Wooster Rancy, 21, with the 5th Engineer Battalion, is also charged with obstructing justice, in connection to the death of 23-year-old Sgt. U.S. Army Fort Leonard WoodRancy is held in pretrial confinement awaiting a preliminary hearing, officials said. Rancy, who joined the Army in 2022 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, is from Miami, officials said. He serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, according to the Army.

Persons: Fort Leonard Wood, Wooster Rancy, Sarah Roque, Roque, Army Fort Leonard Wood Rancy, Rancy, Christopher Beck, ” Beck, ” Organizations: 5th Engineer Battalion, Army, Sarah Roque . U.S, Excellence, Fort, National Defense Service, Army Service Ribbon, 5th, Battalion, 509th Clearance Company Locations: Fort Leonard, Missouri, Sarah Roque ., Ligonier , Indiana, Miami

☆ Full transcript: Vice President Kamala Harris interviewed by NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

NBC News’ Yamiche Alcindor interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris just before her rally at the Talking Stick Amphitheatre in Phoenix on Thursday afternoon. And I’m going to be all over the country pretty much — especially in the swing states — talking with folks about the issues that relate to them and the contrast between me and Donald Trump. And this, again, is a big contrast between me and Donald Trump. ALCINDOR: Former President Donald Trump has said that he would be a protector of women, whether they like it or not. ALCINDOR: Former President Trump also rode around in a garbage truck to call attention to President Biden’s comments about his supporters and their rhetoric.

Persons: Yamiche Alcindor, Kamala Harris, HARRIS, Donald Trump, Michelle Obama, Trump, Biden’s, I’ve, Biden, you’re, you’ve, Kamala, it’s, That’s Organizations: NBC, Madam, ALCINDOR, United Locations: Phoenix, Arizona, Wisconsin , Pennsylvania, America, United States

☆ Key inflation rate hits 2.1% in September, as expected, closing in on Fed target
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Jeff Cox | Jeff Cox Is A Finance Editor With Cnbc.Com Where He Covers All Aspects Of The Markets | Monitors Coverage Of The Financial Markets | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Inflation increased slightly in September and moved closer to the Federal Reserve’s target, according to a Commerce Department report Thursday. The personal consumption expenditures price index showed a seasonally adjusted 0.2% increase for the month, with the 12-month inflation rate at 2.1%, both in line with Dow Jones estimates. Fed officials target inflation at a 2% annual rate, a level it has not achieved since February 2021. The annual rate was 0.1 percentage point higher than forecast but the same as in August. Consumer spending rose 0.5%, topping the outlook by 0.1 percentage point.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Commerce Department, Fed, Energy, Labor Department, of Labor Statistics

Over the past seven decades, Puerto Rico has been governed by the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, currently in office held by Gov. This year, however, the candidate from the Puerto Rican Independence Party, a minority party that advocates for the island’s independence from the U.S., has had a breakthrough. Independence Party candidate Juan Dalmau has gained enough momentum to have a fighting chance at defeating Jenniffer Gonzalez, the candidate from the incumbent pro-statehood party, and relegating the candidate from the Popular Democratic Party, Jesús Manuel Ortiz, to third place. As a result, Congress passed the PROMESA law in 2016 to create a federally appointed fiscal oversight board to allow Puerto Rico to restructure its debt. In addition to this, Puerto Rico was hit by devastating natural disasters that include 2017’s Hurricane María and a series of earthquakes in 2020 and the pandemic.

Persons: Pedro Pierluisi, Juan Dalmau, Jenniffer Gonzalez, Jesús Manuel Ortiz, he's, Carlos Vargas, Ramos, Puerto Ricans, Ricardo Rosselló, Cristina Rodríguez, “, Rodriguez, Ortiz, Miguel Hernández, there's, Castro, ”, González, Jorge Schmidt Nieto, Schmidt Nieto, Pierluisi, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, Tony Hinchcliffe’s, Puerto, Dalmau, Charles Venator, wouldn't, Javier Jiménez Organizations: New Progressive Party, Gov, Popular Democratic Party, Puerto Rican Independence Party, Independence Party, Puerto Ricans, Alianza, Citizens, Center, Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College, Puerto Rican, Islanders, Puerto Rico, “ Alianza ”, Avid, Housing, U.S, University of Puerto, González, Puerto Rico's Center, Investigative Journalism, of Justice, Puerto Rico’s nonvoting, Popular Democratic, Trump, University of Connecticut Locations: Puerto Rico, U.S, Puerto, New York, Puerto Rican, Puerto Ricans, Alianza, Cuba, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Dalmau, Santiago, Venator

☆ Rapidly rising rents squeeze millions in the middle class
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Jasmine Cui | Jasmine Cui Is A Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Rent costs have long weighed on lower-income households — now it’s coming for the middle class. A cost-burdened household is defined as one paying 30% or more of pretax income on rent and housing costs. This figure is widely used as a threshold for affordability: the Census Bureau measures housing costs against it, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development has used it for decades. While nearly 40% of middle-class renters are burdened by costs nationwide, in Tennessee that figure is 37%, placing it among the upper half of states with the largest share of cost-burdened middle-class renters. The growing pressure on middle-class renters may finally be spurring political action.

Persons: ”, Peter Hepburn, ” Hepburn, “ It’s, Daniel Evans, haven’t, Evans, We’ve, Hepburn, “ Organizations: NBC, Department of Housing, Urban, Princeton University Locations: Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, New York

Census data released on October 17 indicates that New York recorded the highest rate of people moving out of all 50 states. Business Insider calculated each state's net moving rate by comparing the number of people who moved into and out of each state per 1,000 people. The states people move out of the mostOf all 50 states, New York ranks last with a net moving rate of -9.23. But because of its larger population and the greater number of movers into the Golden State, California's net migration rate lands right after Louisiana's. North Dakota — which has about 780,000 residents to New York's 20 million — had the highest net migration rate at 17.55.

Persons: —, Jackie Nguyen, hadn't, Nguyen, Dan Latu, Sarah Dickerson, we've, Dickerson, We've, Davrick Hayes, " Hayes, Everett Atlas Organizations: Service, Kansas, American Community Survey, , New York, Washington DC, Golden State, Kenan, of Private Enterprise, University of North, Dakota, Carolinas, Getty Images Vermont Locations: New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Kansas City , Missouri, York, , New, Alaska, Louisiana, California, University of North Carolina, New York City, Los Angeles, New, North Dakota, Bismarck , North Dakota, LA, South Carolina . North Carolina, Raleigh , North Carolina, East, South Carolina, Delaware, Boston, Vermont

☆ America won the war on inflation. You still think the economy stinks
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Although sentiment is improving (more on that soon), poll after poll suggests that Americans hold largely negative views about the US economy. And the US economy remains a job-creation machine, adding 368,000 jobs per month on average during the Biden administration, a record high. But they’re still growing at a 3.9% adjusted rate, according to the Department of Labor. A recent study from the Brookings Institution, released last week, found a correlation between economic sentiment and political affiliation with the party in control of the White House. When Trump took office, Republican economic sentiment surged, while Democratic sentiment cratered.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Biden, Trump, Covid, That’s, Donald Trump, they’re Organizations: CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Gross, Economic, International Monetary Fund, Labor, BEA, US Department of Housing, Urban Development, Bank of America, Brookings Institution, White, Democratic, Republican, Democrat

President Harris would probably put more pressure on Israel to reach a cease-fire and open up talks with the Palestinians. Ukrainians worry that a President Trump would force a quick and dirty peace deal favorable to Russia. They hope a President Harris would continue to support them on the battlefield. Under President Harris, that would probably mean continuity with the Biden administration policies that have become much more restrictive over time. Migrants from all over the world pass through Mexico to get to the U.S. border, and the United States can’t control the flow of migrants without Mexico’s assistance.

Persons: Israel Patrick Kingsley, Harris, Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukraine Anton Troianovski, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir V, Putin, Biden, China Keith Bradsher, NATO Steven Erlanger, United States doesn’t, “ I’m, Ana Swanson, Donald Trump, haven’t, South Africa John Eligon, Biden —, Harris —, Mexico Natalie Kitroeff, Somini Sengupta Organizations: Trump, U.S, Manufacturing, NATO, The Times, Global, United, Biden Locations: Jerusalem, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, United States, America, Europe, China, Beijing, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, India, —, Hungary, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Johannesburg, Africa, Zambia, Indian, Brazil, Ethiopia, BRICS, Mexico, Mexico City, U.S

☆ What a Trump or Harris presidency would mean for your tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Trump's plans could mean tax hikes for lower earners; Harris' proposals would target higher earners. This is the fourth in a five-part series about the impacts either a Trump or a Harris presidency could have on US consumers. Trump has proposed extending his slew of tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 — also known as the "Trump tax cut." But another part of Trump's tax policy — his plan to levy universal tariffs on all US imports — could end up undercutting this positive impact. AdvertisementTrump has floated lifting the $10,000 cap on the State and Local Tax deduction, known as SALT, from his 2017 tax bill.

Persons: Trump's, Harris, —, you'll, Trump, He's, Garrett Watson, Harris hasn't, she's, Benjamin Page, Biden, Walz, Ernie Tedeschi, Watson, Tedeschi Organizations: Service, Business, Trump, Social Security, Taxation, Economic, Tax Foundation, State and, Urban, Brookings Tax, Yale Budget Lab, White House Council, Economic Advisers, Finance Locations: California , New Jersey, New York, Congress

☆ Goldman sees this homebuilder rallying 30% even if mortgage rates stay high
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Pia Singh | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Homebuilder Meritage Homes could see outsized growth even in the midst of a housing lull, thanks to a strategy that emphasizes homes that are "move-in ready," according to Goldman Sachs. Existing home sales remain sluggish and housing turnover below historical norms due to affordability issues for consumers hit by higher mortgage rates. But even against a backdrop of tight housing supply, Goldman analyst Susan Maklari expects Meritage to outshine competitors owing to a unique strategy. Maklari believes Meritage is poised for further upside to its 2028 targets because the company offers a competitive proposition to buyers. Meritage provides a "turnkey solution" to consumers — fully outfitted units that don't need add-ons — with a 60-day closing guarantee on homes.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Susan Maklari, Maklari, Meritage Organizations: realtors, Elliott Homes

☆ Switzerland is now flirting with deflation, causing a dilemma for its central bank
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Urbazon | Istock | Getty ImagesSwitzerland could be at risk of slipping into deflationary territory next year, as a stronger Swiss franc beleaguers policymakers' efforts to get a handle on price growth. The central bank also revised down its forecasts, putting the average annual inflation rate for 2024 at 1.2% from 1.3%, while projecting price increases will grow by 0.6% in 2025, compared with a previous outlook of 1.1%. Foreign exchange (FX) interventions take place when a bank buys or sells its currency in the FX market to raise or lower its value against another currency. Swiss inflation has meanwhile continued to fall. In March, with inflation at 1.2%, the SNB become the first major Western central bank to cut interest rates.

Persons: Thomas Jordan, Adrian Prettejohn, Sophie Altermatt, Julius Baer, Prettejohn, Jordan Organizations: Istock, Getty, Swiss National Bank, Capital, Capital Economics, CNBC, FX Locations: Bern, Switzerland, Adrian Prettejohn Europe, Europe

☆ Here's how much money you need to make an hour to comfortably afford rent in 15 major U.S. cities
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

From coast to coast, the minimum wage is falling short of how much Americans need to comfortably afford average rent prices in major cities. The federal minimum wage has sat at $7.25 for the past 15 years. Fair market rent is based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's fair market rent standard. Under this model, around 40% of similar units in the area rent for less than the listed fair market rental price and 60% rent for more. Here's how the minimum wage in 15 large U.S. cities compares with the hourly wage you'd actually need to earn in order to comfortably afford a one-bedroom dwelling at fair market price, per Clever Real Estate's data.

Persons: it's Organizations: National Conference of State Legislatures, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Locations: New York, U.S

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