Rising prices remain a top concern for Americans, according to a new survey by the Federal Reserve. But 72% of adults say they're living comfortably financially or at least doing OK. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
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U.S. economy
Grocery prices fell in April as overall inflation cooled. Milk prices dropped 0.8% while egg prices declined 7.3%. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
Credit card delinquencies rose in the first three months of the year. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, almost 1 in 5 card users is "maxed out," using at least 90% of their credit limit. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
Social Security's finances have improved slightly in the last year. But benefits are still facing an automatic cut in less than a decade unless Congress takes steps to prop up the program. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption
Restaurant prices rose 4.2% over the last year. But Americans continue to dine out regularly. Michael Mathes/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
A construction worker is seen in Miami on Jan. 5, 2024. U.S. employers added more jobs than expected in January including in the construction sector. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption
The U.S. created an extraordinary number of jobs in January. Here's a deeper look
Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference after the concludion of the Fed's policy meeting in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 20, 2023. The Fed held interest rates steady on Wednesday but indicated it could cut rates this year while also noting it would move cautiously. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption
The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady but signals rate cuts may be coming
A person carries shopping bags at a shopping center on the day after Christmas on Dec. 26, 2023 in Glendale, Calif. Strong consumer spending helped drive better-than-expected economic growth in the final months of 2023. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption
Many experts feared a recession. Instead, the economy has continued to soar
The U.S. job market held up well in 2023, despite rising interest rates. Employers added 2.7 million jobs last year and unemployment remained under 4% throughout the year. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption
Whose indicator will be the leading economic story of 2024? Kenny Malone with interest rates? Jeff Guo on 'Bidenomics'? Or Wailin Wong taking out junk fees? Kenny Malone, Jeff Guo, Wailin Wong/NPR hide caption
Would-be home buyers are battling high prices and high interest rates, but some are finding a way to make it work. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
The unemployment rate jumped in October, but layoffs are still rare. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption
The 'R' word: Why this time might be an exception to a key recession rule
A shopper carries a shopping bag while walking through an outdoor shopping center in Corte Madera, Calif., on Oct. 17. Strong consumer spending is helping to power the economy — but it may not last. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
Household finances improved between 2019 and 2022, according to a new survey from the Federal Reserve. Home ownership increased, despite a drop in affordability. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
People walk past a restaurant, with a hiring sign outside in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 5, 2023. Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, far more than what analysts had predicted. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
The latest inflation report is reinforcing hopes about a soft landing in the economy — or when inflation eases without sparking a downturn. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption
It wasn't too long ago that a lot of experts were fearing a recession. It hasn't quite turned out that way – but that doesn't mean recession fears are over. Getty Images hide caption
Could the U.S. still see a recession? We got big clues this week on where it's headed
Travelers wait in line at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta on June 30, 2023, ahead of the 4th of July holiday weekend. Consumers are traveling and eating out more though they are paring down spending in other ways. Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Here are the 5 things to know about the state of the economy this Independence Day
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues opted to pause interest rate hikes at their meeting Wednesday. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption
Taking a breather: Fed holds interest rates steady in patient battle against inflation
Construction workers prepare steel for a crane at the site of JPMorgan Chase's new headquarters in New York City on May 18, 2023. Builders added jobs this month despite the headwinds from higher interest rates. It was another indication of the country's strong job market. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption
Amazingly, the U.S. job market continues to roar. Here are the 5 things to know
A customer walks by a "now hiring" sign posted in front of a store in Novato, Calif., on April 7, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
A customer waits to order food at a Miami McDonald's on July 26, 2022. The CEO of McDonald's expects the U.S. to experience a mild recession and says customers have grown more reluctant to splurge on or supersize their orders. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption
The U.S. economy is losing steam. Bank woes and other hurdles are to blame.
The logo of news website BuzzFeed in 2014. The company announced it was undergoing a 15% reduction in force and ending its news division. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images hide caption