Economy

In Union County, South Carolina, the cotton mills that once sustained the economy and offered jobs have vanished over time. Today, this area is designated as a "food desert," indicating that numerous inhabitants reside a considerable distance from the nearest supermarket. Observing this problem, community non-profit leader Elise Ashby initiated a project in 2016. She partnered with local farmers to deliver affordable boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables across the county, which has a demographic where nearly 30% of the population is Black and approximately 25% are living below the poverty line.Initially, Ms. Ashby funded the initiative with her personal…

Actualmente, el panorama laboral para los recién egresados universitarios se ha vuelto más complicado. A pesar de que la tasa nacional de desempleo se mantiene estable en un 4.1%, los jóvenes profesionales enfrentan considerables obstáculos al pasar del ambiente académico al mundo laboral.Preocupaciones de los Empleadores y Preparación PercibidaUn sondeo realizado en diciembre reveló que cerca del 58% de los reclutadores piensan que los recién graduados no están listos para enfrentar las exigencias del mercado laboral. Las críticas suelen centrarse en la falta aparente de motivación, habilidades de comunicación y profesionalismo entre los recién llegados. Algunos empleadores achacan estas deficiencias…

En 2024, el mercado inmobiliario de Estados Unidos sufrió una notoria caída, con las ventas de viviendas existentes disminuyendo a niveles que no se veían desde 1995. La Asociación Nacional de Agentes Inmobiliarios informó que solo se vendieron 4.06 millones de casas durante el año, lo que representa una disminución del 0.7% respecto a 2023. Esta reducción resalta las dificultades que enfrentan tanto compradores como vendedores en la situación económica actual.In 2024, the United States housing market experienced a significant downturn, with existing-home sales plummeting to levels not seen since 1995. The National Association of Realtors reported that only 4.06…

At the end of January 2025, the U.S. government revealed its intentions to impose tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, steel, and computer chips. This action seeks to strengthen local manufacturing and tackle trade imbalances. Yet, these steps might profoundly impact global trade relations, especially influencing major U.S. partners in Asia.Effects on the Semiconductor SectorImpact on Semiconductor IndustryThe semiconductor sector is poised to be significantly affected by these proposed tariffs. Asia dominates global chip production, accounting for over 80% of the world's semiconductors. Leading companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are major…

Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, faces a crucial moment as the central bank prepares for its next policy meeting. The latest jobs report all but solidified expectations of an interest rate cut later this month, with market indicators assigning a nearly 90% chance to such a move. However, whether the Fed should proceed with the cut and how it will manage monetary policy afterward remain open questions, sparking heated debate among economists and politicians. November's jobs data presented a balanced picture, neither overly strong nor overly weak, giving the Fed the flexibility to justify a rate cut. Nonfarm…

Paul Atkins, CEO of Patomak Global Partners and an expert figure in financial regulation, has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The announcement, made via a post on Truth Social, signals a significant shift in regulatory priorities, particularly towards a more cryptocurrency-friendly environment. If confirmed, Atkins will succeed Gary Gensler, whose tenure has been marked by aggressive actions in the cryptocurrency market. Gensler's policies have drawn harsh criticism from the digital assets industry, with many stakeholders accusing him of stifling innovation. Trump's appointment of Atkins reflects the administration's commitment to easing restrictions…

US-China economic relations are facing new uncertainties after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. The announcement, made on its social media platform Truth Social, signals a significant escalation in trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Trump's statement came shortly after he revealed his intention to enact a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada as one of his first executive actions on Jan. 20, the day he took office. This move is expected to effectively dismantle the existing regional free trade agreement between the three nations. Trump…

Databricks, one of the world's most valuable private technology companies, is raising billions of dollars in new funding as it chooses to delay its long-awaited public offering, sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. The San Francisco-based company is reportedly securing at least $5 billion in its latest funding round, with the potential to raise as much as $8 billion as discussions progress. This new round would push Databricks' valuation to $55 billion, making it one of the most valuable private technology companies globally. The funding round, according to insiders, is partly designed to allow employees to sell shares, easing…

President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday his plan to nominate Scott Bessent, founder and CEO of Key Square Group LP, as Treasury secretary. The move places a seasoned hedge fund executive and Trump ally in a key role within the new administration's economic strategy. Bessent's appointment highlights Trump's focus on appointing market-savvy figures to guide the country's economic policy. Bessent, 62, has emerged as a strong contender for the position alongside names such as former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh and private equity executive Marc Rowan. Known as a Wall Street heavyweight, Bessent brings decades of financial experience to the table…

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House in January, a potential clash with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell looms on the horizon, largely dependent on evolving economic conditions. If inflation rises and the economy overheats, the Fed may feel forced to slow the pace of interest rate cuts or even keep them stable. Such a move could put Powell on a collision course with Trump, who has historically criticized the Fed for not easing monetary policy quickly enough. This potential tension is not new. Powell, appointed Fed chair by Trump in 2018, often found himself at…