The recent reduction of tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30% has offered temporary relief to U.S. small business owners, but the short 90-day duration of the deal has left many feeling more anxious than secure. Connor Alexander, a Seattle-based board game publisher, is among those feeling the pressure. Despite restarting production on two…

While many retailers across the U.S. are grappling with reduced consumer spending, Walmart has continued to perform strongly. In its fiscal first-quarter earnings report for 2026, the retail giant reported a 4.5% increase in U.S. comparable sales year-over-year. This growth was driven by both an uptick in the number of customer transactions and higher average…

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the United States’ sovereign credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, citing rising fiscal deficits and increasing debt servicing costs due to high interest rates. The agency noted that government debt and interest payment levels have grown significantly over the last decade, outpacing similarly rated countries. This adjustment brings Moody’s in…

A recent University of Michigan survey revealed that U.S. consumer sentiment has dropped to 50.8 in May, down from 52.2 in April. This marks the second-lowest reading ever recorded, indicating growing worries among consumers. The decline is largely driven by concerns about tariffs and their impact on the economy. Rising Inflation Fears and Trade Uncertainty…