Oil prices have surged more than 40% since the start of the Iran conflict, rattling global energy markets and raising concerns that U.S. drivers could see further increases at the pump. Analysts say consumers may not have felt the full impact yet, as higher crude costs typically take weeks to…

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink discussed possible Social Security reforms that would allow more Americans to benefit from the growth in the stock market while also ensuring the program is strengthened so it can survive to serve future generations. Fink’s recently released annual chairman’s letter touched on how Social Security is “one…

Tax season is in full force as the deadline to file or request an extension is less than three weeks away, and some Americans who have already filed their returns are waiting to receive a refund from the IRS. Nearly 70 million taxpayers filed their returns as of March 13 and…

The impact of the Iran war on global oil prices could push the rate of inflation facing U.S. consumers higher, which would leave Federal Reserve policymakers in a difficult spot as they weigh possible interest rate cuts. An analysis by economists at Goldman Sachs projected that Brent crude oil prices, a common…

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned in his annual chairman’s letter that wealth inequality could worsen if more people don’t participate in financial markets to reap the benefits of investing. Fink said that the vast majority of wealth has flowed to people who own assets, as opposed to those who earned…

Mortgage rates spiked this week as the conflict in Iran continues to weigh on markets, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.38% from last week’s reading of 6.22%. The average…

PORTLAND, Maine – Maine’s lobster industry is facing mounting pressure after a harsh winter reduced fishing activity, slowed catches and added to rising costs across the sector. The state, the largest lobster producer in the U.S., recorded its fourth consecutive annual decline in total catch, according to the Maine Department…

The U.S. Postal Service is reportedly planning to impose a fuel surcharge on package deliveries for the first time in the agency’s history amid surging fuel costs. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Post Service is planning an 8% surcharge beginning in April and that the agency currently plans to…

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said on Tuesday that the U.S. is becoming more like Europe in terms of defense procurement, and it’s holding the country back. Dimon spoke at the Hill & Valley Forum, which is an annual meeting that brings together policymakers, defense leaders, tech builders and investors to…

The American dream is becoming increasingly difficult for many women who are leaving the U.S. workforce, as new data highlights ongoing pressures tied to caregiving costs. As the rising cost of childcare and eldercare outpaces wage growth, 455,000 women left the labor market between January and August 2025, according to…