5 reasons to be optimistic about the 2024 economy
CNN
The US economy appears to be enjoying the soft landing many argued was nearly impossible.
Many feared 2023 would be the year of recession. It turned out to be the year of remarkable resilience. The US economy appears to be enjoying the soft landing many argued was nearly impossible. Inflation has cooled dramatically, unemployment remains low and the Federal Reserve could deliver rate cuts as soon as March. “The big story of 2023 is we stuck the landing,” Justin Wolfers, professor at the University of Michigan, told CNN. Wolfers noted the economy didn’t just bounce back from the fastest recession ever, but it overcame the war in Ukraine, oil price shocks, political dysfunction and countless other issues. “It’s the little engine that could,” Wolfers said of the economy. “Given how bad the shocks were, this could have been so much worse.”
US stocks extended losses Thursday afternoon as concerns about a prolonged war with Iran continued to push oil prices higher.
Paramount CEO David Ellison has pledged to support editorial independence at CNN, saying it “needs to be maintained,” amid widespread concern about his company’s plans for the news network.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage was 6% for the week ending March 5, according to Freddie Mac – after war with Iran has started to show signs of rattling financial markets.
Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, has been missing for 33 days, as the “Today” show noted in a brief news update about the case on Thursday morning.
Economic uncertainty tied to President Donald Trump’s signature trade policies has led many small businesses to lay off workers, delay expansion plans or scale back production.
John Andrews, a South Carolina-based chef who runs a meal delivery service, estimates he drives over 100 miles every week to deliver fresh home-cooked meals to his clients.
Las Vegas Casino magnate Derek Stevens is getting desperate.
China set its lowest economic growth target in decades on Thursday, announcing it would aim for 4.5-5% expansion for 2026, as the world’s second-largest economy grapples with weak domestic demand and an uncertain global outlook.
As Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US is “accelerating” its Iran strikes, Pentagon beat reporters say they’re not getting answers to key questions about the ongoing military operations.
As CBS News plots an overhaul of its morning show, Gayle King has renewed her contract to remain at the network, a spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.
Oil prices Wednesday paused their recent surge, supporting a rebound in European and US stocks, as investors hold hope for limited long-term disruptions to energy markets and monitor developments in the Middle East.
Messages written in chalk covered the sidewalk outside OpenAI’s San Francisco offices Monday morning: “Where are your redlines?” “You must speak up.” “What are the safeguards?”
The United States is pumping more oil than any country in world history. Without all that crude, Americans could already be paying $4 or even $5 a gallon for gasoline, making the energy spike caused by the war with Iran even more painful.