Specialized search for economics

23+ min ago (609+ words) Many Americans remember when fast-food chains offered $1 burgers and 50-cent drinks; however, those days are long gone. Today, grabbing a quick meal can feel more like a splurge, with customers often shocked by the high total on their receipts. Fast-food was once the most affordable type of meal one could get, an attractive factor that helped chains like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's rise to fame. But in recent years, prices have climbed so high that some fast-food combo meals now rival the cost of casual sit-down restaurant dishes. Prices for food at home rose 2.6% in the 12 months ended September 2025, while prices for food away from home increased3.7%, according to recentU.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsdata. Higher grocery bills and restaurant costs are forcing moreAmericans to make tough choices. A Credit Karmasurvey found that 27% of consumers have skipped meals to save money....

1+ hour, 8+ min ago (685+ words) Claim every free dollar for retirement your employer will give you. Save your raise so it's put to work. Choose investments that do more of the heavy lifting. The more money you're able to save for retirement during your working years, the more comfortable your senior years might be. And it's important to have income to supplement your Social Security benefits, since they'll only replace a limited portion of your pre-retirement wages. During the third quarter of 2025, the average IRA balance rose to $137,902, according to data from Fidelity. Meanwhile, the average 401(k) plan balance rose to $144,400. But if you're looking to boost your retirement savings in the new year, it's important to go about things strategically. Here are a few steps you can take to set your savings up for success. Many companies that offer 401(k) plans to employees also offer some…...

1+ hour, 46+ min ago (666+ words) This holiday season isn't quite so merry for American shoppers as large shares are dipping into savings, scouring for bargains and feeling like the overall economy is stuck in a rut, a new AP-NORC poll finds. Roughly half of Americans say it's harder than usual to afford the things they want to give as holiday gifts, and similar numbers are delaying big purchases or cutting back on nonessential purchases more than they would normally. The president has insisted there is "no" inflation and the U.S. economy is booming, as he expressed frustration that the public feels differently. "When will people understand what is happening?" Trump said Thursday on Truth Social. "When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago?" Most U.S. adults, 68%, continue to say the country's economy is…...

1+ hour, 48+ min ago (18+ words) Supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths could soon face $10 million fines for price gouging under new laws....

1+ hour, 53+ min ago (891+ words) THE 1970s are rightly remembered as a decade when the UK economy went badly wrong. But now I fear Rachel Reeves is driving Britain into the same crisis. Inflation took off dramatically and reached a peak of over 26 per cent in the autumn of 1975. The mid-70s also saw the first major post-war recession. Unemployment rose to around 1.5 million in the second half of the decade. Strikes were commonplace and living standards were under pressure from high inflation and rising energy prices. Read More on Opinion Trump is sleepwalking into disaster after telling voters that everything's rosy Tech geeks RUIN stuff with 'updates' - my house is cold & I can't watch TV However, the most humiliating episode from this period came in 1976, when a financial crisis and a collapse in the value of the pound caused the Government to seek help from the International…...

2+ hour, 23+ min ago (1083+ words) Buckle up, kiddos. And keep your wallets and portfolios close. The Federal Reserve heads into 2026 swirling in a messy mix of economic pressures and political uncertainties. While the actual impact on interest rates remains to be seen, there is little doubt the takeaways from the December meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee are ripe with concerns about the turgid tensions in inflation rates and the job market. Plus, there's the Shakespearean drama engulfing the replacement of Jerome Powell when he steps down as chair in May. Powell managed to secure votes on Dec. 10 for a third quarter-point cut this year. The formal decision was 9-3, Bloomberg reported, but soft dissents showed not all policymakers agreed with the rate cut. "We went into the meeting looking for a hawkish" cut, Priya Misra, a fixed-income portfolio manager at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, told…...

2+ hour, 30+ min ago (890+ words) New business rates regime that is poised to hit pubs and hotels is latest example of hasty decision-making There is a heavy cloud hanging over Labour's Christmas celebrations. The most recent figures show the economy is going backwards and worse, the slide is prompting recession talk in the corridors of City banks. If there is a recession, it will only be slight, but with unemployment rising and businesses reluctant to invest, the economy remains stuck in first gear. In this gloomy atmosphere, not many Labour MPs will feel comfortable donning paper hats and toasting their leaders. Especially not when Whitehall is dominated by a single activity " procrastination. That is, when it comes to boosting the economy. Time after time, a department produces a document setting out a problem and a framework for dealing with it, often winning cross-party praise (this…...

2+ hour, 57+ min ago (202+ words) ALBAWABA - Iran's government announced on Saturday that it has increased gasoline prices for most drivers, introducing a new tiered system aimed at reducing soaring fuel consumption and limiting cross-border smuggling. The move marks the first major adjustment to fuel pricing in years, after Tehran repeatedly postponed hikes due to concerns that they could trigger unrest similar to the 2019 nationwide protests. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mahajerani said on state TV that, effective immediately, the majority of vehicles " with the exception of ambulances " must purchase gasoline at a higher rate of 50,000 rials per liter (about 4 cents on the open market). State media reported that the higher rate applies to users who exceed 160 liters per month, while existing subsidized options remain available for lighter consumers. Drivers can still buy 60 liters at 15,000 rials per liter, plus an additional 100 liters at 30,000 rials per liter. Mahajerani emphasized…...

3+ hour, 5+ min ago (127+ words) Founded in 2004, Seeking Alpha is an industry-leading financial research platform powered by one of the world's largest investing communities. We bridge the gap between financial information and actionable insight by providing unrivaled coverage on all asset classes and access to best-in-class tools. From in-depth analysis on thousands of stocks to timely investment ideas and market-beating Quant ratings*, Seeking Alpha is an essential resource for millions of investors globally. Bet_Noire/iStock via Getty Images Will we see a market correction in 2026? According to a recent Wall Street Breakfast poll, 36.4% of the 895 Seeking Alpha readers who responded believe we'll see a temporary sell-off, followed by a return to record highs; 27.4% see a correction of over 10%; 26.7% see...

3+ hour, 10+ min ago (284+ words) It's good to read'of private'enterprises stepping into the shoes of the federal'government. As much as the left enjoys vilifying'capitalism and the "greedy rich,these are the people and organizations'who are stepping'up to supply food'banks with the needed resources to counteract'the missing SNAP'monies. Look at individuals,'such as Michael Dell, who are donating'billions of dollars to encourage'our young [] You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. With a The Portland Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. - Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email It's good to read of private enterprises stepping into the shoes of the federal government. As much…...