Economic Downturn

Business

The Vanishing Numbers: How America's Fraying Economic Data Infrastructure Threatens Jobs and Stability

A quiet crisis is eroding the foundation of U.S. economic decision-making. As key federal data agencies face budget cuts, political pressure, and operational challenges, the resulting information gap could leave policymakers and businesses 'flying blind,' increasing the risks of policy missteps, deeper recessions, and prolonged unemployment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

XRP's Rocky Road: Navigating Economic Headwinds and Fading Catalysts Over the Next Three Years

After a stellar 365% surge in the past three years, XRP faces a challenging horizon. Economic uncertainty, shifting investor sentiment, and the maturation of key growth drivers suggest a potentially turbulent period ahead for the digital asset.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Washington Braces for Partial Shutdown: Economic Fallout Expected to Be Limited, But Not Painless

With a midnight deadline looming, Congress remains gridlocked, pushing the federal government toward a partial shutdown. While economists predict minimal macroeconomic damage from a brief closure, the disruption to services and federal workers' paychecks will be felt immediately.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Powell's Legacy: A 'Wash' Amid Economic Resilience, Says SoFi CEO as Fed Transition Looms

SoFi CEO Anthony Noto calls the Powell Fed era a mixed bag, praising the ultimate economic stability despite policy stumbles. As the baton passes to a new Treasury Secretary, investors weigh SoFi's record growth against a cautious 2026 outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Three Consumer Stocks Facing Headwinds as Economic Uncertainty Weighs on Discretionary Spending

Amid a volatile economic backdrop, consumer discretionary stocks are lagging the broader market. We examine three companies—Columbia Sportswear, Movado, and iHeartMedia—whose business models and valuations make them vulnerable in the current climate.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Bottom Line: How Waste Management Giants Fared in Q3 Amid Economic Crosswinds

As earnings season winds down, the waste management sector reveals a tale of resilience and regulatory reckoning. While Enviri's results disappointed, others like Perma-Fix surprised to the upside, highlighting the industry's complex dance between steady demand and economic sensitivity.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates 'Deepest Downturn' with Cost Cuts and Strategic Shifts Amid Trade Volatility

Facing what CEO Peter Vanacker calls the 'deepest and longest downturn' of his career, LyondellBasell reported Q1 2025 results while detailing a new $500 million cash improvement plan. The chemical giant is leaning into portfolio restructuring and its global supply network to weather trade policy uncertainty and weak demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates Prolonged Downturn with Strategic Cash Preservation and Portfolio Reshaping

Facing one of the longest downturns in industry history, LyondellBasell reported Q2 2025 earnings of $0.62 per share, outlining a disciplined strategy focused on cash conservation, portfolio optimization in Europe, and a pivot towards circular and low-carbon solutions to emerge stronger from the cycle.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair, Banking on a Traditionalist for an Unconventional Economic Moment

President Donald Trump announces his intent to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank, seeking a policy shift aligned with his economic vision amid debates over inflation and the Fed's independence.

Jan 30, 2026

World

France and Chad Chart New Course, Pivoting from Military Ties to Economic Partnership

Following a rupture in their longstanding security alliance, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno have agreed to reset bilateral relations, placing future cooperation squarely in the economic and developmental sphere.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Geopolitics vs. Economics: Why Oil Giants Are Betting on Libya Over Venezuela

Despite political instability, Libya's low production costs and proximity to key markets are drawing major investment, while Venezuela's vast reserves remain hamstrung by economic and geopolitical hurdles.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Crypto Mogul Justin Sun Plans $100M Bitcoin Buy Amid Market Downturn

Tron founder Justin Sun announces plans to acquire up to $100 million in Bitcoin as prices dip below $77,000, contrasting with corporate treasury losses and broader market caution.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Industrial Sector Outperforms, But These 3 Stocks Flash Caution Signals

While the industrial sector has surged ahead of the broader market, not all companies are positioned to weather an economic downturn. We examine three industrial stocks where valuation and business model concerns suggest investors should proceed with caution.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fed Holds Steady, Mortgage Rates Follow Suit: Housing Market Finds Footing Amid Economic Confidence

The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain its benchmark rate signals underlying economic strength, leaving mortgage rates largely unmoved. While affordability challenges persist, a gradual rebalancing of the market offers cautious optimism for buyers and sellers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Royal Baby Shoe Maker Early Days Faces Closure After 73 Years, Citing Economic Squeeze

The Leicester-based manufacturer behind the iconic baby shoes worn by Prince George and his siblings warns it is likely to shut down, a victim of soaring costs and plummeting consumer demand despite its royal endorsement.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Robert Half Charts Path to Recovery Amid Economic Headwinds, Betting on AI and Lean Operations

Despite a challenging quarter with declining revenues, staffing giant Robert Half outlines a strategic pivot, leveraging artificial intelligence and retained top talent to drive efficiency and position for a return to growth by late 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fact Check: Trump's Tariff Triumph Narrative Collides With Economic Data

An analysis of President Trump's recent op-ed claims reveals significant discrepancies between his portrayal of tariff success and official trade figures, price impact studies, and the nuanced reality of their implementation.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Iran's Digital Blackout: A Three-Week Internet Shutdown Exacts a Heavy Economic and Social Toll

A prolonged, nationwide internet blackout in Iran, imposed during recent unrest, has crippled businesses and severed global connections for millions, revealing the deep fragility of an economy already under strain.

Feb 2, 2026

World

A Shift in Momentum: IMF Forecasts Africa to Outpace Asia in Economic Growth This Year

The International Monetary Fund projects average growth in sub-Saharan Africa at 4.6% for the year, edging ahead of Asia's 4.1%, signaling a potential turning point driven by demographics but tempered by significant investment challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Latin America's Economic Crossroads: Navigating the Surge of Chinese Imports

As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce goods, reshape Latin American markets, governments and industries grapple with the dual pressures of affordable consumer goods and strained local manufacturing, forcing a delicate recalibration of trade policies and regional alliances.

Feb 2, 2026