Economy/page/3 news and trends

Calling Out Sick Costs Labor Economy Workers More
Consumer Insights // August 28, 2026

A sick day may last 24 hours. The financial effects can stay much longer. For millions of workers, one missed shift can reduce the next paycheck and force a fast change in household spending. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...

Consumers Gain Spending Power but Pull Back on Major Purchases
Economy // August 26, 2026

Inflation remained stubborn in July, but consumers got something they have not always had during the recent run-up in prices: income growth that gave them more purchasing power without prompting another burst of spending. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...

Stable Consumer Confidence Hides an E-Shaped Spending Divide
Economy // August 25, 2026

Consumer confidence barely moved in August, but the stability of the headline number conceals two trends that matter for spending: Americans feel better about the jobs they have today, while confidence about jobs, income and business conditions six months from now is weakening. Get the...

7 Winning Indicators Lift Economic Outlook Out of 4-Year Slump
Economy // August 20, 2026

The Conference Board said Thursday (Aug. 20) that the Leading Economic Index’s (LEI) six-month growth rate turned positive for the first time in more than four years. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all...

Interviews & Exclusives
Tariff Refunds Turn Old B2B Invoices Into Claims on Cash

August 20, 2026
The $100 billion U.S. tariff unwind isn’t just a legal exercise for enterprise firms; it’s exposing a crucial piece of B2B infrastructure. 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. By […]

Food and Housing Costs Keep Consumers in Cutback Mode

August 12, 2026
Consumers are getting some inflation relief, at least in terms of the slowdown in price increases. They’re just not necessarily getting it on the bills that determine how much money...

Consumer Expectations for Economy Jump 4.1 Points as Personal Finance Optimism Lags

August 07, 2026
The economy is beginning to inspire confidence again, but Americans are not convinced that confidence will arrive in their own wallets anytime soon. Get the Full Story Complete the form...

Healthcare Costs Push Consumer Confidence Down 9 Points

July 30, 2026
Healthcare costs are squeezing consumer confidence from both ends of the age spectrum. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Quick Reads
7 Winning Indicators Lift Economic Outlook Out of 4-Year Slump

August 20, 2026
The Conference Board said Thursday (Aug. 20) that the Leading Economic Index’s (LEI) six-month growth rate turned positive for the first time in more than four years. 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 […]

Boston Fed Economists Say Tariffs Not Main Cause of 2025 Inflation

August 19, 2026
Tariffs alone cannot explain the persistence of 3% inflation in 2025, three Federal Reserve Bank of Boston economists wrote in an article posted Wednesday (Aug. 19). Get the Full Story...

Walmart Investors Hang Hopes on Retail Media as Sales Cool

August 18, 2026
Walmart’s investors are counting on the company’s ad business to drive profits as same-store sales growth has cooled and the company’s stock has fallen on a cautious annual outlook, Reuters...

Jobless Claims Tick Up Amid Summertime Slowdown

August 13, 2026
Jobless claims inched up last week in a move Bloomberg reported could be due to seasonal employment patterns. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and...