Fewer Americans now fear catching COVID-19 than at any point since the start of the pandemic, according to a new survey. Only 35% of U.S. adults reported they are very or somewhat worried about contracting COVID-19, according to Gallup. It’s the lowest level of concern since last April. Additionally, nearly …
Read More »Market Extra: Friday’s jobs report will be released to a closed stock market—that’s only occurred 12 times since 1980
Good Friday is next week and markets will be closed as per usual. However, what will be unusual is that the closure of financial exchanges in the U.S., and some other parts of the world, comes as the government is slated to release a key report on employment in the …
Read More »Mortgage rates hit new high since last July
According to National Mortgage News, the mortgage rate increases noticeably stifled recent borrower applications, but further growth should slacken right as the typical prime home buying season starts, said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While activity remains high, it’s currently on par with early March, prior to the pandemic,” …
Read More »Economic Report: U.S. manufacturers growing at fastest pace since start of pandemic, ISM finds
The numbers: American manufacturers grew in February at their fastest pace since the onset of the pandemic and are increasingly optimistic about the economy, a closely followed survey showed. The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index climbed to a two-year high of 60.8% last month from 58.7% in January. …
Read More »The Moneyist: My wife has homeschooled our son and our best friends’ son since September due to COVID-19. Is it too late to bring up money?
Dear Quentin, My wife and I have a 7-year-old son who would normally be attending the public-school system this year. However, for a variety of reasons mostly driven by the pandemic, we decided we would homeschool our son for first grade this year. My wife is currently a stay-at-home mom …
Read More »Cryptos: Why is dogecoin dropping? The crypto has tumbled 20% since its Monday record
A doge’s breakfast? The popular dogecoin crypto asset, engineered as a joke back in 2013, has tanked over the past week after reaching a record value on Monday, leaving few investors laughing. Dogecoin, at last check, was trading at 0.06784 cent, down over 20% from its Feb. 7 record high …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer confidence tumbles in December to lowest level since lockdown
The numbers: Consumer confidence stumbled for the second straight month in December, hitting its lowest level since during the worst of the cornavirus lockdowns in May. The index of consumer confidence fell to 88.6 this month from a revised 92.9 in November, the Conference Board said Tuesday. Economists polled by …
Read More »Key Words: It’s been years since investors have been this fearful of a stock market crash, Nobel-winning economist warns
Everett Collection “ ‘No one knows the future, but given the general lack of investor confidence amid a pandemic and political polarization, there is a chance that a negative, self-fulfilling prophecy will flourish. This highlights the importance of being well diversified in asset classes — including Treasury securities, which are …
Read More »Economic Report: U.K. economy records slowest GDP rise since pandemic
People walk through a crowded shopping street in Birmingham, central England on August 22, 2020. justin tallis/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The U.K. economy grew 2.1% in August, according to data released Friday that showed the slowest monthly gain since the initial lockdowns. The gain in gross domestic product leaves the U.K. …
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