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Daniel Ackerman

Latest Stories (61)

The cost of congestion pricing

Jun 6, 2024
New York's governor pulled the plug on the congestion pricing plan for NYC. But congestion can cost more than the $15-per-driver planned charge.
In London, Stockholm and Singapore, congestion pricing led to eased gridlock and a drop in climate-warming emissions.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What does “seasonally adjusted” mean, anyway?

Jun 5, 2024
It’s one of those terms we hear attached to economic data all the time. But what is seasonal adjustment and how is it done?
It could appear that there's a recession each January because of the drop in seasonal workers, like mall Santas, after the holidays. Hence the importance of seasonally adjusting data.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

April factory orders were up, slightly, for third straight month

Jun 4, 2024
The 0.7% increase signals a healthy tone for manufacturing, at least relative to recent weak readings for construction and consumer spending.
Demand for construction and industrial equipment was up about 2% in April from March, boosted by federal infrastructure funding. Above, construction on a semiconductor plant in Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Construction spending slowed in April, continuing this year's trend

Jun 3, 2024
The construction flatline stems from interest rate hikes — new projects are less affordable, and that's starting to affect builders.
Transportation infrastructure construction has taken off, thanks in part to recent federal legislation.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

Automakers grapple with ethical questions around deep sea mining

Jun 3, 2024
GM is slated to take up the issue at its annual shareholder meeting.
"Deep sea mining itself is an industry that has a large number of potential risks; some of those are reputational risks," said Andy Whitmore of the nonprofit Deep Sea Mining Campaign.
Chris J. Ratcliffe for Greenpeace via Getty Images

What wholesale inventory says about goods in our economy

May 30, 2024
Wholesalers supply both retailers and manufacturers.
When wholesale inventories run low, they can suggest robust retail sales.
Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images

New SEC rule says stock trades must be finalized more quickly

May 29, 2024
Trades must be finalized by the end of the following business day to minimize failures in volatile markets.
"The more a trade is unsettled, the more exposure it has to a fail," said Bob Walley of Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

First GE, now DuPont. Corporate deconglomeration is having a moment.

May 23, 2024
DuPont said it will split into three companies focused on water, electronics and chemicals. Investors and antitrust officials may be watching.
Mark Makela/Getty Images

Higher tariffs on Chinese computer chips may not lead to more U.S. engineering jobs

May 23, 2024
An NBER study finds the tariffs may actually dampen U.S. opportunities for chip engineers and others.
A recent NBER study found that hiring of semiconductor engineers in the U.S. is down 9% since 2018. 
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Employers can offer a new benefit: Matching student loan payments with 401(k) contributions

May 22, 2024
A study finds participants are likely to be better off than without the benefit.
DNY59/Getty Images