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Examining last year’s odd economy, and what to watch for moving forward

WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy in 2025 was filled with contradictions, as growth was healthy while hiring slowed, inflation stayed elevated and unemployment rose. Last year’s odd outcomes raise a host of questions for the upcoming year: Will a growing economy eventually boost the sluggish job market? Or are last year’s weak job gains a sign of a stumbling economy that could get worse? There is another uncomfortable possibility: The economy could keep growing without much hiring, as technology — particularly artificial intelligence — enables more companies to step up their ...

Edmunds: 5 affordable cars and SUVs for 2026

Affordability is a hotter topic than ever in 2026. Many people are struggling to manage rising costs and live within their means, making it harder to justify splurging on things they want but don’t need. That applies to car shopping decisions too. If you need a new vehicle and your budget is tight, check out this list of the best affordable cars for sale to help you get started on the right foot. Edmunds’ experts have ranked their favorite models for 2026 across price and size classes. Factor in base prices, fuel economy and safety ratings, and the following list of the five best ...

Trump touts plan to lower mortgage rates

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said on social media Thursday that he is directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are worried about home prices. Trump and the White House have been trying to show they are responding to voter concerns about affordability ahead of midterm elections in November. Home prices have generally risen faster than incomes because of a persistent construction shortfall, making it harder for renters to buy their first home and for existing owners to ...

Job openings slide to 2nd lowest level in 5 years as hiring remains sluggish

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers posted far fewer jobs in November than the previous month, a sign that employers aren’t yet ramping up hiring even as growth has picked up. Businesses and government agencies posted 7.1 million open jobs at the end of November, the Labor Department said Wednesday, down from 7.4 million in October. Layoffs also dropped, however, as companies appear to be holding onto workers even as they are reluctant to add staff. The report suggests that the “low-hire, low-fire” job market remains in effect, with workers enjoying some job security but those ...

Budget office: Immigration policies, low fertility rate slow US growth projection

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. population is projected to grow by 15 million in 30 years, a smaller estimate than in previous years, due to President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration policies and an expected lower fertility rate, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. The nonpartisan budget office projected that the U.S. population will grow from 349 million people this year to 364 million people in 30 years, a 2.2% smaller gain than it had predicted in 2025. In September, the office issued a revised demographics report that showed Trump’s plans for mass deportations and ...

Trump Mobile’s golden phone remains nowhere to be found

A golden phone that President Donald Trump’s family business promised to release last year remains mysteriously under wraps as the technology industry serves up a glut of new gadgets at CES in Las Vegas this week. When the Trump Organization launched a mobile phone service last June, it was supposed to be a stage setter for a new smartphone bathed in gold with a $500 price tag — a bargain compared to Apple’s latest iPhone models that sell for anywhere from $800 to $1,200. The newly formed Trump Mobile targeted its T1 phone for an August or September release. What’s more, ...