Latest from Katie Barnfield

• Jan 30, 2023

  Consumers are expecting lower inflation in the year ahead

  

  Consumer sentiment is on the up-and-up relative to the lows it’s been sitting at. According to the University of Michigan’s most recent Consumer Sentiment Index, people surveyed are now expecting inflation to fall below 4 percent in the coming year. The Fed, meanwhile, is still deciding what to do in its next rate-hiking cycle, as some prominent voices disagree about the scale of a potential increase. And, a check-in on the manufacturing sector with Julie Schertell, CEO of Georgia-based manufacturer Mativ.

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• Jan 30, 2023

  Ukraine’s war on corruption

  

  Representatives of different Ukrainian political parties and movements stage a protest outside the constitutional court building in Kiev on October 30, 2020. – Activists protested against the ruling of Ukraine’s constitutional court that blocked a number of anti-corruption laws including on free public access to officials’ declarations, a significant rollback of Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

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• Jan 27, 2023

  Jerome Powell and co. gain ground on inflation

  

  The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation, the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, out this morning indicates that inflation tempered last month. FHN Financial Chief Economist Christopher Low helps us look behind the numbers. And, China’s holdings of developing countries’ debt is beginning to play into the wider U.S.-China relationship, says David Dollar of the Brookings Institution. 

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• Jan 27, 2023

  Why are there fewer scientific innovations nowadays?

  

  A new paper finds that the rate of scientific innovation has been on a steady decline, despite living in the most technologically advanced age in the history of humanity. According to co-author Russell Funk, a professor at the University of Minnesota, helps us understand what’s going on. This round of corporate layoffs could portend a larger slowdown in the labor market, which has remained hot. And, yesterday’s GDP numbers may be good on the surface, but there are some less-than-ideal signs deeper in the report. 

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• Jan 27, 2023

  European firms demand a response to U.S. green subsidies

  

  From the BBC World Service: In a special programme from Dresden in east Germany, we hear from one European green tech company – Solarwatt – who are calling for the EU to give the industry similar tax breaks and financial incentives to those introduced by President Biden in the U.S. We also talk to the semi-conductor manufacturer Global Foundries about how to keep the supply chain secure, amid concerns about China’s data collection. 

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• Jan 26, 2023

  The economy grew at a solid pace, buoyed by consumers

  

  Today’s GDP numbers likely lifted many an economist’s spirits — the economy grew at 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter last year, a solid showing despite inflation pressures and the threat of recession. KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk helps us dissect what’s in today’s report. Boeing is being sued for fraud over faults in its 737 MAX plane that caused two fatal crashes. And, a look at the effects of the increasing amount of private money flowing into drug rehabilitation programs. 

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• Jan 26, 2023

  Taser drones in schools — real thing or just an idea?

  

  The maker of the Taser, the weapon meant to be a non-lethal option for law enforcement, is toying with the idea of selling drones with Tasers attached. Among the potential clients: schools. We talked to Dina Temple-Raston, host of the “Click Here” podcast, about her reporting on the story. Southwest is facing a probe on whether the airline booked more flights than it could cancel at the time of its mass-cancellation debacle. And, there are storm clouds hanging over the housing market, but there are some signs they may be lifting a bit. 

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• Jan 26, 2023

  Tankonomics: How much do they cost to supply and support?

  

  From the BBC World Service: A deal has finally been done to send American and German tanks to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky says they need to be delivered quickly, but just how realistic is that – and how costly? We hear from the former commander of the British Army’s tank regiment. Millions of Pakistanis were left without power this week after a major failure of the country’s energy grid. The system is back up and running but businesses tell us they fear more cuts, and the disruption they bring. And, how the Dutch have made more space for cyclists by building an underwater bike park.

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• Jan 25, 2023

  Caution amid a relatively downbeat earnings season

  

  The corporate earnings season has thus far been a downer. Yesterday, Microsoft announced its profits fell 12 percent last quarter, which comes after major banks reported similarly poor performances. We check in with Susan Schmidt, head of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, about what to expect as companies continue to report earnings. Copper prices are surging worldwide, partly due to China’s re-emergence after lifting its Covid lockdown restrictions. And, a report from the BBC’s Sally Nabil from Egypt about the country’s worsening economic situation. 

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• Jan 25, 2023

  Elon Musk on trial over a market-moving tweet

  

  Tesla and Twitter CEO Elon Musk is once again defending himself against a lawsuit. This time, plaintiffs are suing Musk over a 2018 tweet saying he was considering taking Tesla private which caused investors to lose money. Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan, helps us break down the suit. And, the Department of Justice is suing Google’s parent company, Alphabet, over allegations that the company has monopolized the digital advertising business.

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