economy

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is telling lawmakers that a stronger than expected economy means they will have an extra $180 million to spend when crafting a state budget. Northam said in a letter to lawmakers Friday that new revenue estimates for fiscal year 2020 shows an...

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — How's your 401(k) doing? President Donald Trump likes to ask that question around the country, sometimes throwing out big gains like 90% or 95%. The average 401(k) did indeed hit a record last year, although its growth was considerably less than that...

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says the U.S. economy appears durable with steady growth and unemployment near a half-century low but faces risks from the broadening viral outbreak that began in China. Giving the Fed’s semiannual...

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. businesses sharply cut the number of open jobs in December for the second straight month, an unusual sign of weakness in an otherwise healthy job market. The number of available positions dropped 5.4% to 6.4 million, a historically...

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's led a “spectacular” turnaround of the U.S. economy and urged the world to invest in America, but had less to say about climate change issues that are a focus of this year's gathering of...

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is leaving its benchmark interest rate alone and signaling that it expects to keep low rates unchanged through next year. The Fed's decision follows three rate cuts earlier this year. It reflects its view that the U.S...

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Hiring in the United States jumped last month to its highest level since January as U.S. employers shrugged off trade conflicts and a global slowdown and added 266,000 jobs. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.5% from 3.6% in October,...

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — A series of government reports Wednesday cast a picture of a steadily growing U.S. economy, fueled by solid consumer spending and defying threats — at least for now — from a U.S.-China trade war and a global slowdown. The Commerce...