CNN – Business/Consumer

By Alicia Wallace, CNN Business The number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell again last week, setting a new three-month low and showing that employers are still reluctant to let go of workers despite some economic slowing. Initial claims for unemployment insurance were 213,000 for the week ended September 10, down 5,000 from a

By Martha C. White, CNN Business Another month of falling gas prices gave Americans’ wallets a bit of a reprieve in August. That sent consumers back to stores last month. The Census Bureau reported Thursday that a key measure of August US retail sales rose unexpectedly by 0.3% on a monthly basis, following a revised

By Nicole Goodkind, CNN Business Investors are on edge as the Federal Reserve gears up for its policy decision next week. Some are even starting to brace for a big surprise. What’s happening: New inflation data on Tuesday showed that prices aren’t easing as quickly as Wall Street had hoped. Markets plummeted as the report

Opinion by Joseph H. Davis for CNN Business Perspectives The Federal Reserve is aware of the pain that spiraling prices are causing Americans. At the recent Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said bringing inflation down “will also bring some pain to households and businesses.” But what the nation’s central bankers are hesitant

By Chris Isidore, Vanessa Yurkevich and Jeremy Diamond, CNN Business Unions and management reached a tentative deal early Thursday, averting a freight railroad strike that had threatened to cripple US supply chains and push prices higher for many goods. The deal with unions representing more than 50,000 engineers and conductors was announced just after 5

By Laura He, CNN Business Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, will meet face-to-face this week for the first time since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine earlier this year. When they last met, in February in Beijing during the Winter Olympics, they proclaimed their friendship had “no limits.” Since then, Russia

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN Business Ford unveiled an all-new version of the two-door Mustang coupe at an event in Detroit Wednesday night. It has a new body design and new engine options, but the one thing it won’t have is electric motors. The new Mustang will be offered only with pure gasoline power, at least

By Allison Morrow, CNN Business Unless we get a breakthrough soon in deadlocked negotiations, Friday will mark the beginning of the first national rail strike in 30 years (which we wrote about in Monday’s newsletter). ICYMI: Tens of thousands of train workers are ready to walk off the job just after midnight tomorrow night unless

By Kate Trafecante, CNN Patagonia’s founder is transferring ownership of the company after nearly 50 years into two entities that will help fight the climate crisis. Patagonia is a private company based in Ventura, California, that sells outdoor apparel and equipment. Yvon Chouinard founded the company in 1973. Patagonia said in a press release on

By Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Business Talks aimed at averting a freight railroad strike that could cripple US supply chains continued overnight into Thursday. If the strike goes ahead early Friday, it could send prices higher for goods from gasoline to food to cars. Two rail unions, representing more than 50,000 engineers and

By Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN Business Starbucks is rolling out a sweeping plan to spark growth over the next three years — from faster Frappuccinos to more digital rewards. On tap: New equipment that makes it easier for baristas to prepare complicated drinks in seconds. Thousands of new US stores. A more reliable mobile app with

By Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Business The US economy can keep running without freight trains — but not for long. That is why the risk of the first national railroad strike in 30 years is so worrying to economists and businesses. A brief work stoppage — some previous rail strikes have lasted only

By Paul R. La Monica, CNN Business Tuesday’s massive stock market meltdown should serve as a reminder to investors that in times of turmoil, it pays to own shares of companies that also pay you. Dividend paying stocks are in vogue again, even as long-term government bond yields have surged dramatically this year. Traders seem