As of February 13, 2026, the American consumer is signaling a profound state of distress that stands in stark contrast to the resilient spending patterns seen just two years ago. The latest reading of the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index has plummeted to 57.3, its lowest level
The American consumer, long considered the indomitable engine of the global economy, has finally hit a wall. On February 10, 2026, the Department of Commerce released a highly anticipated report revealing that retail sales in the United States were flat—0.0% growth—for the final month of 2025. This
The American economy finds itself balanced on a precarious ledge as of early 2026. New data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reveals that total U.S. household debt has surged to a staggering $18.8 trillion, a record high that reflects the growing reliance of American families
Today, February 9, 2026, marks a watershed moment for The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR). After nearly two years of regulatory paralysis, a failed multi-billion dollar merger, and a leadership vacuum following the sudden departure of its long-time chief executive, the nation’s largest traditional grocer has signaled a definitive "new chapter." The appointment of Greg Foran—the [...]
A company that generates cash isn’t automatically a winner.
Some businesses stockpile cash but fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their ability to expand.
In a sharp reversal of the optimistic momentum seen at the end of last year, U.S. consumer confidence has tumbled to an eight-month low, with the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index falling to 98.3 in January 2026. This decline marks a significant psychological shift among American households,
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability.
But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition.
As the 2026 tax filing season begins, the American economy is navigating a radical transformation defined by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s "non-inflationary boom" strategy. This ambitious economic experiment, centered on the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB)—officially the Working Families Tax Cut Act—represents the most significant shift in
American consumer confidence plummeted in January 2026, reaching its lowest level in over a decade as the combined weight of political instability in Washington and persistent inflationary pressures took a heavy toll on household outlooks. The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 84.5,
As the financial world closes the books on January 2026, market participants are casting a wary eye toward the upcoming February economic calendar. One year ago, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index recorded a staggering drop to 64.7, a figure that has since become a benchmark for the
As the opening bell rang on January 26, 2026, the equity markets found themselves at a historic crossroads. J.P. Morgan Global Research has issued a stark warning regarding the unprecedented concentration of the S&P 500, revealing that the top 20 stocks now command a staggering 50.8% of
The bank’s head of equity strategy, Dubravko Lakos-Bujas, said that President Trump is likely to increase affordability efforts ahead of the midterm election season.
Discount retailer, Dollar General Corp. (NYSE: DG), is set to pay shoppers across its 20,000 nationwide outlets, as part of its "deceptive" pricing class action settlement.
As the morning bell rang on Wall Street this Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Department of Labor released a set of figures that have sent economists back to their spreadsheets. Initial jobless claims for the week ending January 17 rose slightly to 200,000, up from a revised 199,000
