Economic Trends

Business

Chicago's Downtown Core Faces Unprecedented Office Vacancy Crisis, Raising Economic Alarm

Chicago's downtown office vacancy rate soared to a historic 28.2% at the close of 2025, more than double pre-pandemic levels, as remote work trends and business climate concerns drive a 14th consecutive quarter of record vacancies. Analysts warn of a deepening economic spiral with implications for city services and residents.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Trump Legacy: How U.S. Trade Policy Ignited a Global Economic Realignment

Morgan Stanley's top strategist argues that recent U.S. trade shifts have prompted nations worldwide to reassess and leverage their own economic strengths, creating a multi-year investment opportunity in a more multipolar global order.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Government Shutdown Disrupts Economic Calendar: Key January Jobs Report Delayed

The latest partial government shutdown has forced a delay in the highly anticipated January employment data, marking a recurring disruption to the nation's economic indicators and leaving markets and policymakers in the dark.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Financial Abuse in Marriage: Dave Ramsey Confronts a Caller's Struggle for Economic Freedom

In a stark episode of his show, personal finance expert Dave Ramsey labeled a husband's control over family finances as '100% abusive.' The case highlights how economic manipulation traps victims, a pattern experts say underpins nearly all domestic violence.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

UAE's Non-Oil Trade Surpasses $1 Trillion, Narrows Gap with Saudi Arabia in Economic Diversification Race

The United Arab Emirates has achieved a milestone in its economic transformation, with non-oil trade exceeding $1 trillion for the first time in 2025. This rapid growth is closing the export gap with regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, as both Gulf states accelerate their push beyond hydrocarbons.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Citi Trends Stock Soars 77% in a Year, Outpacing Market Amid Turnaround Hopes

While passive index funds mirror the broader market, selecting individual winners can dramatically boost returns. Citi Trends (NASDAQ: CTRN) shares have surged 77% over the past year, far exceeding the market's 14% gain, as investors bet on a potential revival despite ongoing profitability challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

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

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

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

Business

A Strong Start: S&P 500's January Gain Hints at a Bullish 2026, Historical Trends Suggest

The S&P 500's 1.4% rise in January 2026 aligns with a decades-old market indicator, the 'January Barometer,' which historically signals strong full-year performance. Analysis of the past 40 years shows an 80% probability of gains through December following a positive January.

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

Iberian Outperformers: How Spain and Portugal Are Outpacing Europe's Economic Pack

Preliminary Eurostat data reveals Spain and Portugal grew at more than double the eurozone average in Q4 2025, driven by resilient domestic demand and strategic advantages, while the broader bloc's recovery remains uneven.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Economic Strength, Defying White House Pressure

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, signaling confidence in a solid economy while inflation remains above target. The decision sets up a continued clash with a President demanding deeper cuts.

Feb 2, 2026