Explore global trends and financial analysis to understand the economic forces shaping our world.
Retail
Forever 21, once a dominant force in American mall culture and a fast-fashion pioneer, has filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in six years. This time, the outlook is even more grim. The operating company behind the brand is expected to liquidate all U.S. operations and close
Retail
Retail store closures are accelerating in 2025, and now Dollar General is the latest major chain to downsize. Following the likes of Joann Fabrics, Walgreens, and Big Lots, Dollar General Corporation announced it will shutter 141 stores across its two brands: Dollar General and PopShelf. The closures were revealed in
Assets
Gold surged to a historic milestone on Friday, breaking above $3,000 an ounce for the first time ever as rising geopolitical tensions and President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war drive investors toward safe-haven assets. At 6:30 a.m. ET, spot gold was up 0.4%, trading at
Retail
Retail giants Shein and Temu, known for their low-cost, direct-to-consumer goods shipped from overseas, experienced a noticeable sales slowdown following former President Donald Trump's February announcement targeting tariffs and the de minimis import loophole. According to Earnest Analytics, which tracks debit and credit card spending from millions of
Finance
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced plans to launch a Texas-based exchange, intensifying competition in the U.S. stock listings market. The move comes as major companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, continue shifting their headquarters to the business-friendly state. NYSE Texas: A Strategic Expansion NYSE, part of the Intercontinental
E-commerce
The landscape of Chinese-owned e-commerce in the U.S. is shifting rapidly as Temu and Shein, two of the largest platforms, adjust their pricing and product availability in response to new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Recent developments have forced both companies to increase prices and temporarily remove certain
Economy
America's credit card debt has reached unprecedented levels, creating a financial landscape fraught with challenges for consumers and banks alike. Household credit card balances hit a record $1.17 trillion in late 2024, reflecting a troubling trend driven by inflation, high interest rates, and post-pandemic spending habits. Experts
Economy
A Pew Research poll in 2024 revealed that only 23% of Americans viewed the U.S. economy positively. However, data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) painted a different picture, showing the economy grew from $27.72 trillion in 2023 to $29.17 trillion in 2024. With more income
Careers
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report provides a comprehensive look at the changing sector of employment, forecasting significant shifts by 2030. As industries adapt to technological advancements, demographic trends, and economic uncertainty, both job creation and displacement will redefine the global workforce. Net Job Growth by
Productivity
U.S. businesses are experiencing a surge in worker productivity, driven by transformative changes in work environments, innovative use of technology, and an entrepreneurial boom. These trends are enabling companies to produce more while offsetting wage increases, creating a stable foundation for economic growth. 1. Hybrid Work and Streamlined Meetings
Supply Chain
Global trade is entering a new era of change. For company leaders—especially CEOs and boards—uncertainty and volatility are no longer temporary disruptions; they are now intrinsic characteristics of the system. Navigating this environment requires a dual approach: being opportunistic in the short term, while remaining strategically focused on
Economy
The S&P 500 has experienced an exceptional rally over the past two years, with gains exceeding 20% annually. As 2025 approaches, maintaining this momentum will require the alignment of several critical factors. LPL Research has outlined 4 primary drivers that could determine whether the market continues to thrive