The biggest risks US businesses face in 2024
CNN
America’s businesses are beginning the year cautiously optimistic.
A version of this story first appeared in CNN Business’ Before the Bell newsletter. Not a subscriber? You can sign up right here. You can listen to an audio version of the newsletter by clicking the same link. America’s businesses are beginning the year with some cautious optimism. In 2023, the US economy avoided a recession and the job market remained robust as inflation cooled steadily throughout the year. Americans continued to spend, keeping service providers, retailers and manufacturers afloat. The economy’s remarkable resilience last year, which baffled economists and investors, could persist. There’s now a decent chance that inflation could continue to drift toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target without a sharp rise in unemployment — a rare feat known as a “soft landing.” The Fed will also begin to cut interest rates this year. But, while businesses have plenty to be grateful for and much to be optimistic about, the coast isn’t clear. Last week, surveys from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and The Conference Board detailed the biggest risks that businesses are currently worried about. The US Chamber of Commerce also hosted its annual State of American Business event on Thursday.
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College campuses embroiled in allegations of antisemitism are bracing for a crackdown by the Trump administration.
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Trump says DOGE could return 20% of its savings directly to taxpayers. That could reignite inflation
President Donald Trump said he is considering a plan that would give 20% of savings identified by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) back to Americans, potentially complicating the country’s ongoing battle with elevated inflation.