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☆ Here’s what it could mean if Trump shut down the US Department of Education
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

We will ultimately eliminate the federal Department of Education,” he said earlier this month during a rally in Wisconsin. Previously, federal education programs were housed in other agencies. Ending the department may not eliminate federal education fundingFederal funding programs for K-12 schools that help support the education of students from low-income families and children with disabilities predated the creation of the Department of Education. Calls to abolish the Department of Education or merge it with another federal agency are not new. When Trump was president, his administration proposed merging the Education and Labor departments into one federal agency.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, “, I’m, ”, ” Trump, Kamala Harris, ” Harris, Jimmy Carter, Pell, Joe Biden’s, Frederick Hess, Marguerite Roza, ” Roza, Ronald Reagan Organizations: Washington CNN —, Department of Education, of Education, Democratic National Convention, National Education Association, Department, Education’s, IDEA, Civil, Joe Biden’s Department of Education, Obama, Education, American Enterprise Institute, “, Georgetown University, Brookings Institution, Republican, Labor, Republicans Locations: Wisconsin, Georgia, Israel

☆ McDonald’s touchscreen kiosks were feared as job killers. Instead, something surprising happened
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Self-service kiosks at McDonald’s and other fast-food chains have loomed as job killers since they were first rolled out 25 years ago. The kiosks show the unintended consequences of technology in fast-food and retail settings, including self-checkout. Chains are now experimenting with artificial intelligence at drive-thru lanes, and the experience with kiosks holds lessons for them. It raised a familiar refrain that those workers would be replaced by technology, such as self-service kiosks. Fast-food chains and retailers need to do a better job communicating what the potential benefits of kiosks and self-checkout are to consumers and employees, Andrews said.

Persons: New York CNN —, McDonald’s, Robert Lynch, you’ve, Eva Marie Uzcategui, ”, RJ Hottovy, ” Hottovy, — don’t, “, Ed Rensi, Christopher Andrews, Andrews Organizations: New, New York CNN, Subway, Starbucks, Shack, Bloomberg, Getty, Temple University, Labor Department, Drew University Locations: New York, McDonald’s, United States, California

☆ Stock market today: Indexes close at record highs and tech soars after Fed rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Indexes rallied to record highs as investors cheered Wednesday's rate cut from the Fed. Jobless claims reinforced the Fed's message of a strong labor market, with last weeks's claims down 12,000. AdvertisementMajor stock indexes surged to record highs on Thursday, a day after a jumbo rate cut from the Federal Reserve. On Wednesday, the Fed cut interest rates for the first time in four years, slashing its benchmark rate by 50 basis points. The Fed's dot plot shows the central bank will likely cut another 50 basis points this year and 100 basis points next year.

Persons: —, Dan Ives, Ives, Jerome Powell, Powell, Richard Bernstein Organizations: Fed . Tech, Nvidia, Meta, Service, Federal Reserve, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Broadcom, ASML, Labor Department, Treasury, Fed, Trump Media Locations: Here's

☆ Stock market today: Dow surges 462 points as stocks rally after jumbo Fed rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Indexes rallied Thursday as investors continue to digest Wednesday's jumbo rate cut from the Fed. The Fed cut rates by 50 basis points in its first rate cut in over four years. AdvertisementUS stocks soared on Thursday in a late reaction to the Federal Reserve's jumbo interest rate cut. On Wednesday, the Fed issued its first interest rate cut since 2020, cutting its benchmark rate by 50 basis points. Bank of America analysts said after the meeting that they see 75 basis points of cuts in the fourth quarter and 125 basis points next year.

Persons: —, Jerome Powell's, Dow, today's 50bp, Goldman Sachs, Powell, Gen Z's Organizations: Fed, Service, Federal, Nasdaq, Bank of America, Labor Department, SEC

☆ Amazon workers are finally getting free Prime memberships
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Amazon is raising pay for its more than 800,000 US warehouse and transportation workers and giving them Amazon Prime for free. Amazon will also offer the $139 yearly Prime benefit to employees for free. Amazon’s decision to raise wages is another sign of a tight jobs market for logistics workers, fueled by more Americans shopping online. The average hourly wage for transportation and warehouse workers rose to $30.79 in August, up 22% from August of 2020, according to the Labor Department. Rivals such as UPS, Walmart and Target have also bumped up wages for warehouse workers.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Amazon, Labor Department, Rivals, UPS, Walmart, Target, Teamsters, Deloitte, Senate Health, Education, Labor, Pensions Locations: New York

☆ The Fed has waited four years to cut rates. But it’s still a tough call
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s also a sign of confidence from Fed officials that inflation has come under control just enough to comfortably dial back policy. Typically, in the lead-up to a Fed policy decision, Wall Street and economists are in alignment on what to expect. But investors’ wagers for a half-point cut ramped up on Monday; and as of Tuesday afternoon, federal funds futures contracts were pricing in a 63% chance of a jumbo rate cut, up from around 30% on Thursday, according to the CME Group. As inflation skyrocketed in 2021 and 2022, American employers pumped out jobs and the unemployment rate declined to half-century lows. The Fed eventually responded to the country’s inflation problem with its bitter medicine of high interest rates.

Persons: It’s, Christopher Waller, Elizabeth Warren, Robert Kaplan, Bill Dudley, ”, Powell, ” Gregory Daco, “, ” Julia Hermann Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Street, CME, Fed, Democratic, Dallas Fed, CNBC, Former New York, Bloomberg, Dow, Labor, New York Life Investments, CNN

☆ Federal Reserve will opt for slow policy easing as there's 'still work to do' on inflation, Fitch says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"One reason we expect Fed easing to proceed at a relatively gentle pace is that there is still work to do on inflation," the report said. On a month-on-month basis, inflation rose 0.2% from July. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.3% for the month, slightly higher than the 0.2% estimate. The 12-month core inflation rate held at 3.2%, in line with the forecast. It took far longer than anticipated to tame inflation and gaps have been revealed in central banks' understanding of what drives inflation."

Persons: Fitch, Dow Jones Organizations: U.S, Fitch, Labor Department, CPI, Fed Locations: Federal

☆ Wholesale prices rose 0.2% in August, in line with expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Wholesale prices rose in August about in line with expectations, the final inflation data point as the Federal Reserve gets set to lower interest rates. The core increase was the same when excluding trade services. On a 12-month basis, headline PPI rose 1.7%. On the PPI measure, services prices pushed much of the gain, with a 0.4% monthly increase driven by a rise in services less trade, transportation and warehousing. The release comes a day after the BLS reported that consumer prices rose 0.2% on the month in line with expectations.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Federal Reserve, of Labor Statistics, PPI, Labor Department, BLS

☆ Stock market today: Indexes rise as investors assess producer inflation and jobless claims data
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Indexes rose Thursday as investors digested new inflation and labor market data. Jobless claims last week rose slightly following two weeks of consecutive declines. The producer price index logged a 0.2% monthly rise, in-line with expectations. In the second inflation reading of the week, the producer price index rose 0.2% from July to August, in line with expectations. This corner of the stock market is set to outperform once the Fed starts cutting interest rates, Goldman Sachs says.

Persons: —, Harris, Ed Yardeni, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Here's, Trump

☆ Here's why the stock market is throwing a tantrum about new inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Core inflation rose unexpectedly, dashing hopes for a bigger rate cut from the Fed. US indexes slumped on Wednesday, with the Dow dropping as much as 600 basis points in the early morning as traders took a mixed-bag of inflation data. That's the lowest headline inflation rate recorded since early 2021. On the other hand, cutting interest rates by just 25 basis points means higher for longer interest rates. "Today's inflation data cemented in a 25 basis point cut next week 50 basis points in out the window," she added.

Persons: —, Julian Howard, Gina Bolvin, Preston Caldwell, Chris Zacarelli Organizations: Fed, Traders, Service, Dow, of Labor Statistics, GAM Investments, Bolvin Wealth Management, Labor Department, Morningstar, Independent

☆ Consumer prices rose 0.2% in August as annual inflation rate hits lowest since early 2021
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Prices increased as expected in August while the annual inflation rate declined to its lowest level since February 2021, according to a Labor Department report Wednesday that sets the stage for an expected quarter percentage point rate cut from the Federal Reserve in a week. The consumer price index, a broad measure of goods and services costs across the U.S. economy, increased 0.2% for the month, in line with the Dow Jones consensus, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. That put the 12-month inflation rate at 2.5%, down 0.4 percentage point from the July level and compared to the estimate for 2.6%.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Labor Department, Federal Reserve, of Labor Statistics Locations: U.S

☆ Markets get nervous over high core inflation and see the Fed cutting slowly
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Stubbornly high core inflation virtually cemented the likelihood of a quarter percentage point cut from the Federal Reserve, which historically has avoided larger moves unless absolutely necessary. Shelter inflation is putting a floor under the CPI and likely keeping the Fed from reducing interest rates by more 25 basis points. "History back to 1990 supports the idea that an initial Fed rate cut of 50 basis points signals an imminent recession (2001 and 2007). "Their first cut will almost certainly be 25 basis points," Colas said. But the Fed, which targets inflation at 2%, prefers core readings as a better longer-term gauge for inflation.

Persons: Dow Jones, —, Nick Colas, Jerome Powell, Colas, That's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor Department, CPI, Fed, Traders, Open Market, PCE

☆ What Trump and Harris’ economic proposals mean for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Here’s a look at what could happen to inflation, jobs and the deficit if Trump or Harris win in November. That, among other things, would keep the top tax rate individuals pay at 37% compared to 39.6% before it went into effect. Meanwhile, the tax proposals Harris has put forth so far mostly involve imposing higher taxes, which would have a positive impact on the deficit. For instance, she’s endorsed raising the top individual income tax rate to 44.6% and the top long-term capital gains tax rate to 28% versus the current 20%. Taken together, the Penn Wharton Budget model estimates Harris’ proposals could increase the deficit by an additional $1.2 trillion by 2034.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, Goldman Sachs, Trump, Warwick McKibbin, Goldman, she’s, ”, Justin Wolfers, Kevin Dietsch, He’s, Elon Musk, She’s, Joshua Gotbaum Organizations: New, New York CNN, Labor Department, Trump, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Gross, University of Michigan, CNN, Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Wharton Budget, Social Security, Penn, Wharton Budget Model, Penn Wharton Budget, Brookings Institution Locations: New York, United States, Penn

☆ Two key inflation reports this week will help decide the size of the Fed's interest rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Federal Reserve gets its last look this week at inflation readings before it will determine the size of a widely expected interest rate cut soon. On Wednesday, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its consumer price index report for August. With the issue virtually settled over whether the Fed is going to cut rates when it wraps up the next policy meeting Sept. 18, the only question is by how much. "Inflation data has taken a backseat to labor market data in terms of influence on Fed policy," Citigroup economist Veronica Clark said in a note. "But with markets — and likely Fed officials themselves – split on the appropriate size of the first rate cut on September 18, August CPI data could remain an important factor in the upcoming decision."

Persons: Veronica Clark, Dow Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, CPI, Citigroup, Fed, PPI

☆ Being a police officer is one of America’s hottest jobs right now
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The health care industry is still the leading job creator, though law enforcement is also seeing some momentum. A sizable chunk of those openings are in law enforcement. She added that there’s also been a huge spike in job postings on ZipRecruiter listing “law enforcement” as a desired skill. Bayer started the police officer application process with some reservations but eventually became convinced he was doing the right thing. But that could change if the job market keeps sliding.

Persons: George Floyd’s, That’s, ”, Julia Pollak, there’s, Ed Wessing, Mesa, “, ” Wessing, “ That’s, Johnathan Severs, Ramonedward Bayer, Bayer, ” Bayer, Seattle . Pollak, ZipRecruiter Organizations: Washington CNN, Labor Department, Police, CNN, “ Police, Mesa Police, The Mesa Police Department, Mesa, Hire, US Army, Seattle Police Department Locations: Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Colorado Springs , Colorado, Seattle

☆ US employers have good reasons not to hire more workers now
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-08 | by ( Bryan Mena | Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

That’s because employers might be putting some of their hiring plans on hold — and for good reason. Businesses consider many factors when deciding to hire, but across a wide spectrum of industries, the economic outlook carries always great deal of weight. Both those factors are prompting employers to think twice about hiring more workers now, according to economists and recent comments from businesses around the country. But she’s proposing raising the corporate tax rate to 28%. So when interest rates are as elevated as they are right now, monthly debt payments could be too costly for many firms.

Persons: there’s, ” Kathy Bostjancic, Reserve Banks, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Trump, Harris, ”, Sean Snaith, Julia Pollak, ZipRecruiter’s, ” Pollak, “ It’s, Pollak Organizations: CNN, Labor Department, Federal Reserve, Nationwide, “, Reserve, Trump, America, Economic, of New, Institute for Economic, University of Central, Fed, Treasury Locations: China, of New York, University of Central Florida

☆ Fed Governor Waller backs interest rate cut at September meeting, open to larger move
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | 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: +2 min

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Friday backed an interest rate cut at the upcoming central bank policy meeting in less than two weeks, and indicated he’d be open to a substantial reduction if necessary. Other policymakers recently have advocated easing policy soon, but this is one of the clearest indications it will happen at the Sept. 17-18 Federal Open Market Committee meeting. “Determining the pace of rate cuts and ultimately the total reduction in the policy rate are decisions that lie in the future,” Waller added. With inflation and employment near our longer-run goals and the labor market moderating, it is likely that a series of reductions will be appropriate,” he said. Futures market pricing following the jobs report tilted toward a greater likelihood of a quarter percentage point rate reduction this month.

Persons: Christopher Waller, ” Waller, Waller, verbiage, Jerome Powell, —, nonfarm, Dow Jones, ” Organizations: Federal, Council, Foreign Relations, Labor Department, Dow Locations: New York

☆ U.S. job market slows, but it's not yet a 'three-alarm fire,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The unemployment rate also fell slightly, to 4.2% from 4.3% in July. For example, average job growth was 116,000 over the past three months; the three-month average was 211,000 a year ago. The unemployment rate has also steadily risen, from 3.4% as recently as April 2023. In other words, many more Americans entered the job market and looked for work; they're counted as unemployed until they find a job. That said, the job hunt has become more challenging for job seekers than in the recent past, according to Bunker.

Persons: Michael M, Ernie Tedeschi, Biden, hasn't, Julia Pollak, Bunker, " Tedeschi, Tedeschi Organizations: FedEx, Broadway, Santiago, Getty, of Labor Statistics, Yale Budget Lab, White House Council, Economic Advisers, Labor Department, ZipRecruiter, Workers, ., Federal Reserve Locations: New York City, U.S

☆ August payrolls grew by a less-than-expected 142,000, but unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2%
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

At the same time, the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2%, as expected. The labor force expanded by 120,000 for the month, helping push the jobless level down by 0.1 percentage point, though the labor force participation rate held at 62.7%. The household survey, which is used to calculate the unemployment rate and is often more volatile than the survey of establishments, showed employment growth of 168,000. Markets showed little initial reaction to the data, with stock futures holding negative and Treasury yields also lower. While the August numbers were close to expectations, the previous two months saw substantial downward revisions.

Persons: Nonfarm, Dow Jones, Dan North Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, North America, Allianz Trade, Manufacturing Locations: U.S, Dow

☆ Friday’s jobs report will likely determine the size of the Fed’s rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —The US economy appears to be on a knife’s edge, and Friday’s jobs report will be the deciding factor as to the next direction. Economists are expecting that the August report should reaffirm that the labor market is merely cooling versus outright weakening. Inflation had cooled, and the labor market was rolling right along and doing its part to keep consumers spending and the economy churning. Friday’s jobs report should provide further reassurance that the labor market is merely softening and not collapsing, economists predict. “It would be a mistake to define the labor market as being excessively weak at this stage.”Instead, the signals indicate that the labor market has moved from being extremely strong and into better balance, she said.

Persons: ” Tuan Nguyen, —, ” Karin Kimbrough, “, ” Oliver Allen, ” Allen, ”, Andrew Challenger, Nick Bunker, Pantheon’s Allen, Beryl “, Mike Skordeles Organizations: CNN, RSM, Federal, LinkedIn, Labor, Department of Labor, “ Companies, Pantheon Macroeconomics, BLS, Employers, ADP, Challenger, Technology, “, North America, Bank of America Locations: US, Michigan, Texas

☆ August private payrolls rose by 99,000, smallest gain since 2021 and far below estimates, ADP says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Private sector payrolls grew at the weakest pace in more than 3½ years in August, providing yet another sign of a deteriorating labor market, according to ADP. August was the weakest month for job growth since January 2021, according to data from the payrolls processing firm. Still, the ADP data showed that while hiring has slowed considerably, only a few sectors reported actual job losses. Annual pay increased 4.8% for those who stayed in their jobs, about the same level as July, according to ADP. The ADP count now tees up the more closely watched nonfarm payrolls report, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release Friday.

Persons: payrolls, Nela Richardson Organizations: ADP . Companies, Dow, Labor Department, ADP, of Labor Statistics, BLS, Federal

☆ Friday's jobs report for August is going to be huge. Here's what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Wall Street consensus is for nonfarm payrolls growth of 161,000 for August and a slight decline in the unemployment rate to 4.2%, according to Dow Jones. In turn, markets are certain the Fed will start lowering interest rates in a couple weeks, with the possibility of a jumbo cut depending on what Friday's report shows. "What the Fed is going to do in response, how are they going to adjust rates, that's why we are having this conversation." While job growth has been tailing off through much of 2024, the deceleration hit home for the market with a July report that showed payroll growth of just 114,000. The latest bad news came Thursday when payrolls processing firm ADP put August private job growth at just 99,000, the smallest gain since January 2021.

Persons: Dow Jones, Giacomo Santangelo Organizations: Labor Department, Federal Reserve, Fed

☆ Job openings fell more than expected in July in another sign of labor market softening
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Job openings slumped to their lowest level in 3½ years in July, the Labor Department reported Wednesday in another sign of slack in the labor market. "The labor market is no longer cooling down to its pre-pandemic temperature, it's dropped past it," said Nick Bunker, head of economic research at the Indeed Hiring Lab. "Nobody, and certainly not policymakers at the Federal Reserve, should want the labor market to get any cooler at this point." While the job openings level declined, layoffs increased to 1.76 million, up 202,000 from June. "The still low level of layoffs and tick up in hires suggests the labor market is not cracking.

Persons: Dow Jones, it's, Nick Bunker, Krishna Guha, nonfarm Organizations: Labor Department, Labor, Survey, Federal Reserve, Global Policy, Central Bank, Evercore ISI

☆ Bond market 'yield curve' returns to normal from inverted state that had raised recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An inverted yield curve, in which the nearer-duration yield is higher, has signaled most recessions since World War II. However, a normalization of the curve does not necessary signal good times ahead. In fact, the curve usually does revert before a recession hits, meaning the U.S. could still be in for some rough economic waters ahead. Job openings had exceeded labor supply by more than 2 to 1 at one point, aggravating inflation that had been at its highest level in more than 40 years. That part of the curve is still steeply inverted, with the difference now at more than 1.3 percentage points.

Persons: Raphael Bostic, Quincy Krosby Organizations: CME Group, Atlanta Fed, LPL, Labor Department, Atlanta Federal Reserve Locations: Chicago, U.S

☆ A top New York official was paid off by China with salted ducks, a job for her cousin, and millions to her husband's business: DOJ
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sun, 40, is accused of blocking Taiwanese officials' access to the New York governor's office and changing public messages from both governors to boost China's talking points, among other acts. According to the Justice Department, she also sent messages informing the Chinese consulate about Taiwan's requests to the governor's office. AdvertisementProsecutors said that during this time, Sun would use bogus invitation letters to set up meetings for Chinese officials with New York authorities. Hu has been charged by the Justice Department too, and is accused of laundering money and opening bank accounts with a relative's driver's license photo. AdvertisementA spokesperson for Hochul told Business Insider that the New York governor's office hired Sun more than 10 years ago.

Persons: —, Linda Sun, Kathy Hochul, Andrew Cuomo, Cuomo, Sun, Curtis, Chris Hu, Hu, that's, Hochul, Liu Pengyu, Jarrod Schaeffer, Sun's, Schaeffer Organizations: Service, New, Gov, Business, Justice Department, Queens, Hochul, New York Labor Department, Prosecutors, PRC, CCP, Chinese Communist Party, Sun, Ferrari Locations: China, Nanjing, York, New York, Honolulu, Jiangsu, Manhasset , New York, Washington

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