Economy

Economy
Consumer Sentiment Sinks on Iran-Driven Inflation Fears
May 22, 2026

High gas prices drove consumer sentiment down to a new low in May. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today....

Economy
UK Business Activity Hits 13-Month Low Due to Middle East War
May 21, 2026

Business activity in the United Kingdom is declining amid a “perfect storm” of economic factors, said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS...

Economy
Business Uncertainty Costs Middle Market Companies Up to 6% of Revenue
May 20, 2026

Business uncertainty remained elevated in March, with 27% of payment executives reporting high uncertainty levels even as optimism about the next 12 months rose, according to new PYMNTS Intelligence data. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free...

Markets
Polymarket Letting Users Make Bets on Private Company Fortunes
May 19, 2026

Polymarket has introduced what it calls the first prediction markets connected to private company performance. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS...

Economy
AWS Chief Rejects Notion of AI-Driven Job Wipeout
May 18, 2026

Some tech executives warn that artificial intelligence (AI) will usher in mass waves of layoffs. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter,...

Economy
Physical Goods Firms Are Learning to Live Without a Clear Forecast
May 15, 2026

The modern economy increasingly runs on two separate operating systems. One is digital, asset-light and geographically fluid. The other is physical, capital-intensive and exposed to every fracture line in the global order. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy...

Economy
Retail Sales Growth Masks Consumer Pullback Across Key Categories
May 14, 2026

Retail sales rose again in April, but the latest government data showed consumers continuing to shift spending toward necessities while pulling back in several categories tied to discretionary purchases and larger household items. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and...

Economy
Inflation Makes Cash Flow the New Consumer Stress Point
May 12, 2026

Inflation accelerated again in April, intensifying pressure on consumers who were already struggling to keep pace with rising costs for food, housing and healthcare. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content —...

Economy
Labor Economy Workers Keep the Jobs Market Moving
May 08, 2026

The labor market added jobs at a moderate pace in April, but the latest employment data also underscored a reality that has increasingly defined the U.S. economy. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all...