Tariffs Tossed, Growth Slows, Amazon Tops Walmart
The Supreme Court voided Trump’s tariffs as shutdown effects weighed on growth. Manufacturing improved, Amazon became the top global revenue earner, Wendy’s cut stores, and jobless claims fell.
U.S. Supreme Court Nixes Trump’s Tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday issued a 6-3 decision striking down President Donald Trump’s global tariff policies. Read Full Article
Record Government Shutdown Slowed U.S. Economic Growth
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history apparently had a negative impact on the U.S. economy.
According to figures released by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, the 43-day shutdown – along with a slow-down in consumer spending – slowed economic growth. Read Full Article
Manufacturing Gain the Highest in 11 Months
After nearly a year of malaise, the manufacturing industry showed signs of life last month.
According to statistics reported by the Federal Reserve this week, U.S. factory production rose by 0.6% in January, the largest gain since February 2025, after being unchanged in December, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday. Read Full Article
Amazon Dethrones Walmart as Global Revenue King
It was close, but Walmart is no longer the biggest company in the world.
Amazon.com Inc. reported revenue in its last fiscal year (Amazon’s fiscal year ended Dec. 31) of $717 billion, besting Walmart by some $4 billion to become the largest global revenue earner. Walmart, which had held the title for a decade, reported $713.2 billion in revenue for its fiscal year, which ended Jan. 31. Read Full Article
Wendy’s Plans to Shutter 6% of its Locations
Diners who enjoy a Wendy’s Frosty should start checking to make sure the store near them will still be serving it.
Officials at Wendy’s announced the fast-food chain will be closing up to 6% of its stores in the first half of 2026 as part of its downsizing plan. Read Full Article
First-Time Unemployment Applications Drop to 206,000
Fewer American workers filed for unemployment benefits last week as opposed to the week before as layoffs hold at historically low levels.
The Labor Department reported Thursday that 206,000 Americans filed for unemployment assistance in the week ending Feb. 14. That’s a drop of 23,000 from the previous week, and is lower than the 225,000 new applications experts were expecting, The Associated Press reported. Read Full Article