NEW YORK — Major U.S. companies are facing closer investor scrutiny as executives explain how inflation, borrowing costs and shifting consumer demand could affect growth plans. Quarterly earnings season is giving shareholders an opportunity to assess whether businesses can maintain

WASHINGTON — New-home sales data are putting U.S. housing demand and mortgage affordability back in focus as prospective buyers weigh borrowing costs, home prices and household budgets. The figures offer an important measure of demand for newly constructed homes and

WASHINGTON — American businesses are watching consumer confidence and energy expenses closely as they plan pricing, inventory and investment decisions for the final months of 2026. Higher costs for fuel and transportation can affect both household purchasing power and company

NEW YORK — Investors are preparing to examine results from Microsoft and Alphabet as the technology companies report quarterly performance during a period of intense attention on artificial intelligence investment. Their earnings could provide important clues about demand for cloud

NEW YORK — Quarterly earnings from major U.S.-listed companies are putting corporate performance under the spotlight as investors evaluate consumer spending, industrial operations and financial services. Results from Coca-Cola, Boeing, Visa and SoFi offer different perspectives on the challenges facing

WASHINGTON — Consumer spending and inflation remain important factors shaping the outlook for U.S. businesses as companies assess household demand, operating expenses and the prospects for continued economic growth. The balance between consumers’ purchasing power and businesses’ ability to control