Economy news and trends

Tariff Stress Is Turning Inflation Into the CFOs Working Capital Test
Economy // March 18, 2026

The latest producer price data suggest that inflation is no longer being driven primarily by what businesses pay for goods, but by what those enterprises decide to charge as those goods move through the system. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this...

75% of Consumers Say Inflation Coping Strategies Aren’t Working
Consumer Insights // March 17, 2026

Young consumers in the United States are doing more than ever to stay afloat, but new data shows that effort alone is no longer restoring their sense of control. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

Dollar Tree Gains 6.5 Million Households as Consumers Chase Value
Earnings // March 16, 2026

Dollar Tree is reaching more households across all income levels as higher income households increasingly trade down and lower income ones try to stretch their paycheck, Dollar Tree CEO Mike Creedon said Monday (March 16) during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call. Get the Full...

Credit Applications Hit 3-Year Peak as Banks Slash Rejection Rates, NY Fed Says
Economy // March 16, 2026

The share of consumers who applied for credit products reached the highest level in over three years in February, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Interviews & Exclusives
Tariff Stress Is Turning Inflation Into the CFOs Working Capital Test

March 18, 2026
The latest producer price data suggest that inflation is no longer being driven primarily by what businesses pay for goods, but by what those enterprises decide to charge as those goods move through the system. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content […]

75% of Consumers Say Inflation Coping Strategies Aren’t Working

March 17, 2026
Young consumers in the United States are doing more than ever to stay afloat, but new data shows that effort alone is no longer restoring their sense of control. Get...

Inflation Cooled but Essentials Tightened Their Grip

March 11, 2026
Inflation in the United States appears contained for the moment, yet the latest reading suggests consumers may be navigating a calm that could prove temporary. Get the Full Story Complete...

Job Losses Set to Test Consumer Confidence and Spending

March 06, 2026
The latest labor market figures delivered an unexpected turn, with payrolls shrinking in February and the unemployment rate ticking higher, raising new questions about whether consumer confidence and spending power...

Quick Reads
Labor Market Remains Stable Despite Energy Fears

March 19, 2026
Jobless claims decreased last week, surprising economists and signaling a labor market that remains steady despite the pressures caused by rising oil and gas prices. 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, […]

Dollar Tree Gains 6.5 Million Households as Consumers Chase Value

March 16, 2026
Dollar Tree is reaching more households across all income levels as higher income households increasingly trade down and lower income ones try to stretch their paycheck, Dollar Tree CEO Mike...

Credit Applications Hit 3-Year Peak as Banks Slash Rejection Rates, NY Fed Says

March 16, 2026
The share of consumers who applied for credit products reached the highest level in over three years in February, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Get the...

Low Mortgage Rates Fuel March Home Builder Optimism

March 16, 2026
Home builder sentiment inched up in March after one metric of mortgage rates dipped to its lowest level since August 2022, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said Monday...