Americans have experienced a boost in their buying power over the past year as inflation has decreased and the job market has strengthened. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker in the private sector has seen their real hourly earnings increase by 0.8% from May 2023 to May 2024. This means
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When it comes to assessing one’s retirement readiness, many individuals tend to compare their 401(k) balances with others in their age group. However, recent data from Fidelity suggests that looking at balances by industry may provide a more accurate comparison point. The average 401(k) balance for investors on Fidelity’s platform in the first quarter was
In today’s corporate world, the issue of employees abusing corporate expenses is all too common. A 2016 global survey of CFOs revealed shocking requests made by employees, such as doggie day spa visits, taxidermy services, dance classes, a side of beef, and even a welder. These bizarre requests highlight the lack of control that companies
Oracle’s recent announcement of cloud deals with Google and OpenAI caused their shares to soar by 9% in extended trading. Despite falling short of Wall Street expectations for the fourth quarter, the company reported an increase in revenue of 3% year over year, reaching $14.29 billion. While earnings per share were adjusted to $1.63, slightly
Apple device users will soon have the option to utilize buy now, pay later loans from Affirm for their purchases. This collaboration between the two companies will allow U.S. Apple Pay users to access Affirm as a payment choice on their iPhones and iPads. The partnership aims to combine the convenience and security of Apple
Delta Air Lines recently announced that they will be launching their premium economy service on transcontinental flights starting in September. This move is seen as an effort to attract customers who are willing to pay more for additional space and perks during their flights. Premium economy is a relatively new class of service that falls
Elliott Management, an activist hedge fund, has recently acquired a significant stake in Southwest Airlines amounting to $1.9 billion. The hedge fund has expressed its intentions to instigate leadership changes at Southwest Airlines, citing the airline’s decline from being a “best-in-class” carrier to one of the biggest laggards in the industry. Elliott is specifically targeting
The U.S. economy seems to have segmented consumers into categories of individuals with abundant financial resources and those without, including retirees. As Cerulli Associates’ senior analyst Chayce Horton pointed out, there is evidence of a significant wealth transfer occurring between generations. This transfer is estimated to be around $84 trillion by Cerulli and is expected
The first pick by the Street’s top pros is off-price retailer Burlington Stores (BURL). The company demonstrated positive results for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and raised both its profit margin and earnings outlook for the year. Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe, who reaffirmed a buy rating on BURL, raised the price target to $275
The Covid-19 pandemic not only exposed the vulnerabilities in the American economy but also highlighted the resilience within certain sectors. Child care, in particular, took center stage as daycares closed, schools shifted to remote learning, and parents struggled to balance work and childcare responsibilities. While employment in the child care sector has slowly recovered post-pandemic,