Laid-off workers endure loss of $600 federal aid amid COVID-19 pandemic

Around the country, across industries and occupations, millions of Americans thrown out of work because of the coronavirus are straining to afford the basics now that an extra $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits has expired.

1.2 million seek jobless aid after $600 federal check ends

Nearly 1.2 million laid-off Americans applied for state unemployment benefits last week, evidence that the coronavirus keeps forcing companies to slash jobs just as a critical $600 weekly federal jobless payment has expired.

Wave of evictions expected as moratoriums end in many states

Housing advocates fear that they could see a wave of evictions in the coming months, as states end moratoriums put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

US manufacturing improves in July, outlook clouded by coronavirus

The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, said Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 54.2 last month, up from a June reading of 52.6. Any reading above 50 signals that U.S. manufacturing is expanding.

Record economic plunge, bleak jobs numbers reveal virus toll

The U.S. economy shrank at a dizzying 33% annual rate in the April-June quarter — by far the worst quarterly plunge ever — when the viral outbreak shut down businesses, throwing tens of millions out of work and sending unemployment surging to 14.7%, the government said Thursday.

US is expected to report a record-breaking economic plunge

Having endured what was surely a record-shattering slump last quarter, the U.S. economy faces a dim outlook as a resurgent coronavirus intensifies doubts about the likelihood of any sustained recovery the rest of the year.

Second stimulus check details revealed: Who is eligible?

The GOP unveiled details for a second round of direct payments to American households on Monday, in legislation that has been dubbed the HEALS Act.

Business economists sketch a more hopeful outlook

In the past three months, the outlook for the U.S. economy has improved in the eyes of business economists. However, the optimism is couched somewhat by the resurgence of the coronavirus.

US new home sales jump 13.8% in June

The Commerce Department reported Friday that the June gain pushed sales of new homes to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 776,000. The increase follows a 19.4% jump in May.

White House drops payroll tax cut as GOP unveils virus aid

The White House has dropped a bid to cut Social Security payroll taxes as Republicans unveil a $1 trillion COVID-19 rescue package.

Jobless claims rise as cutoff of extra $600 benefit nears

The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since the pandemic struck in March, evidence of the deepening economic pain the outbreak is causing to the economy.

Why are coins hard to find during the pandemic?

The Federal Reserve has seen a significant decline of coins in circulation because people are not spending them as regularly at businesses, many of which are either temporarily closed or not accepting cash.

Another 1.3 million Americans sought unemployment aid last week

The number of laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits remained stuck at 1.3 million last week, a historically high level that indicates many companies are still cutting jobs as the viral outbreak intensifies.

Missed the tax deadline? Take these steps now

Here are some steps you can take to keep your penalties to a minimum if you were unable to file by July 15.

Most PPP recipients expect to run out of money by August, study finds

A majority of small businesses that tapped the taxpayer-funded Paycheck Protection Program expect to run out of money by the first week of August, according to a Goldman Sachs survey released Tuesday.

Average gas price rises over last 2 weeks

The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline increased by 2 cents over the past two weeks, to $2.24 per gallon.

US wholesale prices fell 0.2% in June as food costs plunged

U.S. wholesale prices fell 0.2% in June as food costs dropped sharply, offsetting a big increase in energy prices.

US adds 4.8 million jobs as unemployment falls to 11.1%

While the jobless rate was down from 13.3% in May, it is still at a Depression-era level. And the data was gathered during the second week of June, just before a number of states began to reverse or suspend the reopenings of their economies to try to beat back the virus.