As millions of Americans deal with the fallout of winter storms and brace for upcoming inclement weather, households are also confronting higher heating bills this winter. Heating prices are expected to be 9.2% higher for consumers in the 2025-26 winter than they were a year ago, according to a report released last week by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA).Households are expected to spend $995 on heating this winter, which represents an increase of 9.2% or $84 from last winter, ac ...

Core Insights - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that Americans may experience "substantial refunds" and increased paychecks as a result of President Trump's economic policies, with significant impacts expected by 2026 [1][6] - The Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now influencing tax filings for the first time since Trump's return to office, suggesting a shift in fiscal policy [1][2] Tax Refunds and Economic Impact - American taxpayers are projected to receive an additional $91 billion in tax refunds this year, contributing to a record-setting total of $370 billion in refunds [5] - The administration's focus on reducing or eliminating taxes on tips and overtime is expected to enhance take-home pay for working Americans [5][6] Economic Outlook - Bessent expressed optimism for a "non-inflationary boom" in 2026, which he believes could last for several years, citing improvements in affordability due to falling gas prices, easing rents, and rising wages [8][9] - Despite criticisms from some Democrats regarding affordability and tariffs, Bessent maintains that the economic policies are beneficial for working families [9][11] Future Initiatives - The White House is anticipated to release more details on the "Trump accounts," a proposed government-funded investment program aimed at U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028 [12]

Core Insights - The American aluminum industry is experiencing a resurgence due to national security concerns, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and competition from China [1] - Aluminum is increasingly recognized as a strategic material essential for defense readiness and economic security [1] Industry Overview - The importance of aluminum extends beyond consumer goods, impacting various sectors including homes, vehicles, aircraft, and military systems [4] - Aluminum is integral to national defense, with applications in tank armor, fighter jets, and missile propellant [4] Supply Chain Dynamics - The current aluminum supply chain is described as "thin," with minimal margin for disruption, indicating high vulnerability to incidents such as plant fires [5] - A disruption in the supply chain could have widespread implications, affecting production across various consumer products [5] Policy Impact - The U.S. aluminum industry has seen a significant reduction in smelters, from dozens to just a few, prior to the implementation of tariffs [5] - Trade protections initiated during President Trump's administration have contributed to a rise in aluminum production [6] Economic and Community Impact - New aluminum production capacity is expected to create long-term industrial clusters, attracting related businesses and sustaining jobs for generations [7] - Investments in aluminum production are anticipated to resonate within communities for decades, with expectations for smelters to operate for over 50 to 100 years [7]

There are a handful of housing markets across the Midwest and the Sun Belt that have more available inventory, partly due to a boost in new construction, giving buyers more choices and negotiating power. Taking the top spot on Zillow's list of the metros with the most buyer-friendly housing conditions in 2026 is Indianapolis. The Indiana capital was ranked No. 1 among 50 metros analyzed by Zillow. Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville and Oklahoma City rounded out the top five most buyer-friendly housing markets ...

General Motors on Tuesday announced a multibillion-dollar charge related to the realignment of its electric vehicle (EV) strategy following the release of its 2025 financial results and its guidance for 2026. GM reported that its net income attributable to stockholders was $2.7 billion with an EBIT-adjusted $12.7 billion.The Detroit automaker's fourth-quarter net income was lowered by over $7.2 billion in special charges that GM attributed primarily to changes in its EV capacity and investments as it adjust ...

The United Parcel Service aims to cut up to 30,000 operational roles in 2026 as part of its transformation strategy, CFO Brian Dykes announced during the company’s quarterly earnings call on Tuesday. This reduction will "be accomplished through attrition, and we expect to offer a second voluntary separation program for full-time drivers," Dykes said.The shipping giant has been in the midst of a transformation strategy, announced in June 2025, focused on optimizing its U.S. network and boosting productivity. ...

One cruise and travel group is charging full speed ahead in the U.S. market, unveiling a $100 million headquarters in Miami as it expands operations and bets big on Florida’s economy. MSC Group held its ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new North American Cruise Division headquarters in downtown Miami on Monday, reinforcing a long-term commitment to business-friendly Florida.MSC is a privately owned global transportation and cruise giant headquartered in Switzerland, and is continuing to expand its U.S. footp ...

FIRST ON FOX: A coalition of advocacy groups is urging the Trump administration’s housing regulator to proceed cautiously with changes to mortgage credit score rules, warning they could increase the risk of another taxpayer-funded housing bailout. In a letter to Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the 35 groups laid out three points to address as the Trump administration works to make homes more affordable nationwide.1. Careful rollout of competing credit score models The administrat ...

Core Viewpoint - President Trump has announced an increase in tariffs on South Korean imports of autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals from 15% to 25%, citing South Korea's failure to comply with the trade agreement [1][5]. Group 1: Tariff Increase Details - The new tariffs will apply to various sectors including autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, reflecting a significant increase aimed at enforcing trade compliance [1][5]. - The increase in tariffs is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to use tariffs as leverage rather than temporary negotiating tools [8]. Group 2: Trade Agreement Context - Trump emphasized that the South Korean legislature has not approved the trade agreement, which he views as a failure to uphold the terms of the deal [2][5]. - The announcement comes as the administration awaits a Supreme Court ruling regarding the legality of certain trade duties imposed in 2025, which could impact future tariff actions [8]. Group 3: Economic Implications - Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods, which are typically paid by companies but often passed on to consumers through higher prices, potentially increasing the cost of living [11]. - The timeline for when the higher tariffs will take effect remains uncertain, as does South Korea's potential response to this decision [11].

Group 1 - Nike plans to cut nearly 800 jobs, specifically 775 positions, primarily affecting distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi as part of an automation initiative [1][5] - The company aims to strengthen and streamline operations to enhance speed, discipline, and service to athletes and consumers, focusing on advanced technology and automation [2][5] - These layoffs are part of a broader strategy to reduce complexity and improve operational efficiency, contributing to long-term profitable growth and improved EBIT margins [5] Group 2 - Nike's recent job cuts follow a previous announcement in August 2022 to reduce less than 1% of its corporate workforce, and a planned cut of 2% of its workforce, equating to over 1,600 workers, in February 2024 [6] - Under CEO Elliott Hill's leadership, Nike is investing in its running shoe and sneaker lines to regain market share lost to competitors, despite facing challenges such as declining gross margins and poor sales in China [9] - The company's stock closed at $64.99, reflecting a 2% increase year to date [9]