Dow Jones crashes today: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 104.34 points to 49,290.82 on Friday, even as the broader market held firm after a landmark U.S. S&P 500 rose 0.15% to 6,871.97 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.41% to 22,776.33. The split performance reflects a market digesting major policy, economic, and corporate developments at once. The Supreme Court struck down most of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff policy under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, ruling that the la ...

Online marketplace Etsy missed Wall Street expectations for fourth-quarter revenue on Thursday, indicating cooling demand for personalized gifts and handcrafted goods amid ongoing economic uncertainty... ...

Economic Concerns - Concerns about a potential recession have resurfaced due to higher interest rates, elevated living costs, and ongoing economic uncertainty [2] - While the U.S. economy shows resilience in employment, many households remain cautious about spending due to higher borrowing costs and persistent inflation [2] Financial Preparedness - Preparing finances for economic uncertainty is advisable, with a focus on practical, controllable steps rather than emotional reactions to headlines [3] - Financial planners recommend maintaining an emergency fund covering three to six months of essential expenses to mitigate risks during economic slowdowns [6][9] Budgeting Strategies - Creating a budget is essential for clarity on monthly expenditures, especially with elevated credit card interest rates [4] - The goal of budgeting is awareness, allowing individuals to gain control over their finances [5] Emergency Fund Importance - Strengthening an emergency fund is crucial, with recommendations to start small if the full goal feels overwhelming [6] - Additional income from freelance or gig work can help accelerate savings and provide flexibility [7] Market Behavior - Market volatility tends to increase during economic uncertainty, but historically, stock markets recover before economic data improves [8][9]

[CNOinc.com].SOURCE CNO Financial Group## 21%[more press release views with Request a Demo]## Also from this source### CNO Financial Group Declares $0.17 Quarterly Dividend and Announces Virtual Annual Meeting Date[CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share on the...]### CNO Financial Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results[CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today reported its fourth quarter a ...

Toll Brothers fell short of analysts’ estimates for quarterly orders, signaling that fewer people are signing contracts to build homes as high prices and economic uncertainty hold some buyers back https://t.co/6Cq2TJ5K0N ...

Core Insights - US employees are increasingly choosing to remain with their current employers amid economic uncertainty and AI-related anxieties, presenting an opportunity for companies to foster long-term loyalty [1][2] Economic Pressures - Economic volatility is a significant concern, with 70% of US employees reporting increased financial stress due to inflation and market fluctuations [1] - The leading unmet needs among employees include covering monthly expenses, job security, retirement readiness, and work-life balance [1] - Short-term financial pressures have eased, with fewer employees reducing discretionary spending (38%, down from 51% in 2023) and tapping into savings (32%, down from 37% in 2023) [1] Pay and Benefits - Pay remains the strongest driver for both attraction (37%) and retention (32%), with healthcare benefits as the second most important factor [1] - More than 40% of candidates would not apply for jobs without disclosed pay ranges, indicating a shift towards pay transparency as a baseline expectation [1] AI Adoption and Employee Sentiment - Despite recognizing AI's potential, many employees are anxious about its impact on job security, with 53% believing new technology will affect their job security [1] - Only about 25% of employees regularly use AI tools, highlighting uneven adoption across industries, particularly in retail and healthcare [1] Industry Variations - Employee experiences vary significantly across industries, with lower-income and hourly workers facing heightened financial and mental health challenges [1] - High-tech and financial services sectors report stronger engagement, particularly among on-site workers and those with five to ten years of tenure [1] Flexibility and Engagement - Nearly 78% of employees can fully utilize their paid vacation time, and 70% feel that paid time off supports their mental health and family care needs [1] - Employee engagement remains high, with 73% not seriously considering leaving their organization, an increase from 68% in 2023 [1] Conditional Commitment - Employees are recommitting to their employers but with conditions, closely monitoring internal job postings and development opportunities [2]

Core Insights - Hasbro has forecasted annual revenue that falls below Wall Street estimates, indicating challenges in the toy market due to economic uncertainty affecting consumer spending on non-essential items like toys [1] Company Summary - The toy maker is experiencing pushback from consumers who are hesitant to make non-essential purchases, which is impacting Hasbro's revenue projections [1]

Core Insights - The U.S. job market is expected to show an addition of 55,000 jobs in January, an increase from 50,000 in December, with a focus on health care employment [1][9] - The unemployment rate is projected to remain steady at 4.4%, which is considered low historically [2][9] Job Market Dynamics - Job gains are anticipated to be primarily in the health care sector, while opportunities in other fields are becoming scarcer due to a prevailing no-hiring mindset among employers [2] - The Federal Reserve is increasingly concerned about a potential rise in unemployment, as job openings in December were at their lowest since 2020, indicating a possible slowdown in job growth [3] Economic Implications - The upcoming report is crucial for assessing whether the job market is deteriorating and if a recent hiring slowdown is leading to significant job losses [4] - A revision of past job data is expected to reveal nearly a million fewer jobs added between March 2024 and March 2025 than previously reported, indicating a grim outlook for the job market [5][6] External Influences - Recent government policies, including tariffs and immigration restrictions, have contributed to uncertainty in the job market, affecting hiring and expansion plans [8][9] - The increasing use of AI technology is also leading some companies to reduce their workforce, further complicating the employment landscape [8]

Group 1 - The post-pandemic employment sector presents challenges for younger professionals, with a tight job market and increased competition from AI and experienced workers [1] - Economic uncertainty is leading to slower hiring rates, and many companies are hesitant to make changes in their workforce, contributing to stagnation for younger workers [1] - Despite these challenges, younger workers may see pay increases that outpace inflation for the first time since 2020, enhancing their spending power [2] Group 2 - To capitalize on emerging salary growth trends, younger professionals may need to consider relocating to smaller, up-and-coming cities rather than remaining in large urban hubs [3] - The top cities for early career salary growth include Provo, Boise, and Orlando, with annual growth rates ranging from 5.1% to 7.0% and average salaries between $55,782 and $73,711 [4] - Key growth sectors in these cities include healthcare, manufacturing, and project management, with healthcare and private education driving 56% of job growth from 2023 to 2025 [6]

Group 1 - The services industry in Canada has experienced a significant contraction at the beginning of the new year, indicating a continued downturn [1] - The contraction is attributed to the impact of tariffs and broader uncertainties affecting the market [1]