US consumers are souring on the economy. The Conference...
US consumers are souring on the economy. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dropped nearly 7% in February—the lowest reading since June and the biggest monthly decline since 2021 as Americans increasingly worry about inflation, tariffs, and the labor market. Economists say President Trump’s proposed tariffs on US trade partners like Canada and Mexico could accelerate inflation. One of the board’s senior economists noted a “sharp increase” in index participants mentioning tariffs, “back to a level unseen since 2019.” Still, several other indicators suggest that the US economy continues to grow and is outperforming most major economies.
Apple shareholders rejected an outside proposal to jettison the company’s DEI initiatives, but acknowledged it could make adjustments.
Unilever is replacing its CEO, Hein Schumacher, less than two years after he took the role as the consumer goods giant accelerates its turnaround plan.
Tesla sales plunged 45% in Europe in January following CEO Elon Musk’s foray into the Continent’s politics.
Hydrogen fuel explored for UK rail decarbonization
Trains powered by hydrogen produce almost 80% fewer carbon emissions...
Trains powered by hydrogen produce almost 80% fewer carbon emissions than diesel-powered trains, according to University of Derby researchers testing the alternative fuel for potential use on the United Kingdom's rail system. While both fuels emit nitrogen oxide, converting diesel engines to use hydrogen would be cheaper than electrification.
E15 gasoline to be sold year-round in 8 Midwest states
The Environmental Protection Agency is preserving a Biden-era rule to...
The Environmental Protection Agency is preserving a Biden-era rule to make gasoline with 15% ethanol content available year-round in eight Midwest states starting April 28, fulfilling requests from state governors and the biofuel industry. The American Petroleum Institute, a supporter of expanded E15 sales, called for a nationwide policy to prevent potential supply issues and regulatory inconsistencies.
Oil prices settle at lowest level of the year as tariff threat hurts demand outlook
Oil futures settled Tuesday at their lowest level of the year, with the...
Oil futures settled Tuesday at their lowest level of the year, with the economy and energy demand expected to take a hit from proposed U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico that may come into effect next week.
West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery fell $1.77, or 1.5%, to settle at $68.93 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
April Brent crude the global benchmark, lost $1.76, or 2.4%, at $73.02 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe. Based on the front-month contracts, Brent and WTI prices ended at their lowest since December, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
March gasoline shed 2.2% to $1.97 a gallon, while March heating oil lost 1.9% to $2.39 a gallon.
Natural gas for March delivery settled at $4.17 per million British thermal units, up 4.2%.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq fall for 4th straight day after weak consumer-confidence data
U.S. stocks finished mostly lower on Tuesday as investors...
U.S. stocks finished mostly lower on Tuesday as investors weighed another disappointing reading on the U.S. consumer and President Trump's assertion that 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico will still be implemented next month.
The S&P 500 was off 28 points, or 0.5%, to end at 5,955.25.
The Nasdaq Composite tumbled 260.54 points, or 1.4%, to finish at 19,026.39.
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaqfell for the fourth trading day in a row. Both indexes suffered their largest four-day percentage declines since Sept. 6, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 159.95 points, or 0.4%, ending at 43,621.16. It was the best day for the blue-chip index since Feb. 13, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
U.S. consumer confidence dropped to an eight-month low of 98.3 in February on concerns about the outlook for the broader economy, the privately run Conference Board said Tuesday. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast the index to register 102.4, compared with a revised 105.3 in the prior month.
