Economic Growth Overview - US economic growth slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter, with GDP increasing at a 1.4% annualized rate compared to a forecasted 3.0% [2][3] - The economy had previously grown at a 4.4% pace in the third quarter [3] Impact of Government Shutdown - The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the government shutdown would subtract 1.5 percentage points from fourth-quarter GDP due to reduced federal services and spending [3] - The CBO projected that most of the lost output would eventually be recovered, although between $7 billion and $14 billion would not [3] Consumer Spending Trends - Consumer spending growth slowed from a brisk 3.5% pace in the third quarter, largely driven by higher-income households, impacting overall savings as inflation eroded buying power [5] - Only 181,000 jobs were added last year, the fewest since the 2009 Great Recession, indicating a jobless economic expansion [5][4] Future Economic Support - Tax cuts and anticipated larger tax refunds are expected to provide a tailwind for consumer spending this year [6] - Investment in artificial intelligence, including datacenters and semiconductors, accounted for a third of GDP growth in the first three quarters of 2025, helping to mitigate the impact of tariffs and reduced immigration [6]

I added $9 trillion and your retirement accounts and 401ks are at the highest level they've ever been. And then I have to listen to the fake news talking about affordability, affordability. Do you notice what word have you not heard over the last two weeks.Affordability, because I've won. I've won affordability. I had to go out and talk about it.Affordability, mission ACCOMPLISHED, WHY DON'T YOU GET A BANNER BEHIND YOU NEXT TIME, SEE HOW AMERICANS AGREE OR NOT. THAT WAS DONALD TRUMP SAYING HE'S WON. THE AFF ...

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ATTACKS ON THE FEDERAL WORKHORSRSE, ALONG WITH SOME OF HIS MOST EXTREME POLICIES, HAVE MOTIVATED A NUMBER OF FORMER CIVIL SERVICE TO STEP INTO THE POLITICAL ARENA, J .P. COONEY A FORMER TOP DEPUTY TO JACK SMITH AND A VETERAN OF THE PUBLIC CORRUPTION DIVISION OF THE U .S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HERE IN WASHINGTON IS RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT FOR VIRGINIA'S NEWLY PROPOSED 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT.HE TOLD THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE BIGGEST CATALYST FOR HIS DECISION TO RUN WAS THE FATAL SHOOTING OF ...

Builders are working on a plan for a massive program to develop “Trump Homes” that would address the US affordability crisis while allowing private capital to deploy many billions of dollars https://t.co/XjuSAtAoJ7 ...

The continued fall of the U.S. dollar comes after a 12-month period ending in December when consumer prices rose 2.7% (7). Food prices, in particular, outpaced that average, rising 3.1%.“Markets are reopening the question of whether the US is asking investors to accept a lower standard of stability, and therefore demanding a higher price for bearing U.S. risk.”“When the person who could jawbone to defend the currency sounds unconcerned, the perceived backstop under the dollar gets thinner,” Doyle said in a ...

The Democrats talk a lot about the affordability crisis in the United States of America. And yes, there is an affordability crisis, one created by Joe Biden's policies. You don't turn the Titanic IT TAKES TIME TO FIX WHAT WAS BROKEN.THAT WAS VICE PRESIDENT J .D. VANCE IN OHIO YESTERDAY WITH AN ANALOGY FOR THE U .S. ECONOMY THAT MANY FOUND puzzling given the eventual fate of the Titanic.Joining us now, Democratic Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts. She announced her re-election campaign earlier this week ...

Core Viewpoint - Altria Group Inc. continues to thrive in a challenging economic environment, supported by a strong dividend history and significant cash flow, making it an attractive investment option despite the declining cigarette usage trend in the U.S. [1][2][6] Financial Performance - Altria's revenue for the most recent quarter was $5.3 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year decline, while adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 6% to $1.23 [7] - The company maintains a guidance of a 2% to 5% increase in EPS for the full year, indicating confidence in its financial outlook [7] Dividend Policy - Altria has raised its dividend for 56 consecutive years, with a current dividend of $4.24, resulting in a forward yield of 7.3%, enhancing its appeal during stock market downturns [2][4] - The company plans to continue increasing its dividend through 2028, supported by strong cash flow and a robust balance sheet [2] Market Context - Approximately 29 million Americans smoke cigarettes, contributing to Altria's sustained revenue despite a modest decline in overall cigarette use over the past decade [4][6] - The ongoing affordability crisis, characterized by rising prices for essential goods, positions Altria's products as inflation-proof, potentially making it a favorable investment choice [5][8]

A record for 52.6% million Americans are set to travel by plane over the course of the rest of 2025, an increase of about a percent from a year earlier. But according to my next guest, the affordability crisis could start weighing on the travel economy going into next year. We're joined now by Katie Nastro, going travel expert.Katie, thanks for being here. So, we've been talking a lot about the K-shaped economy, the affordability crisis. Are we starting to see that show up at all in how people are traveling ...

Our health care subsidies for millions of Americans are all but certain to expire at the end of this year after House Speaker Mike Johnson said yesterday there would be no vote on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits this week. A lastditch effort by moderate Republicans to put an extension on the floor for a vote failed last night after the House Rules Committee blocked several of the amendments they were hoping to attach to a Republican health care plan released last week. Instead, today the House ...

A new poll is slashing major warning signs today for President Trump and Republicans. His approval rating on the economy, the issue that got him elected, has fallen dramatically since March to 31%. That's his lowest number in both his first and second terms. And it comes just as he's criticizing Americans who say they're hurting, asking, "When will I get credit for having created with no inflation perhaps the greatest economy in the history of our country. When will people understand what is happening. Well ...