Technology stocks helped pull stocks lower on Wall Street Wednesday, handing the market its first loss in more than a week.

The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, even though more stocks in the index notched gains than ended lower. The loss snapped a seven-day winning streak for the benchmark index.

2. Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief - Friday, November 22, 2024

DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation.

3. Trump's latest tariff plan aims at multiple countries. What does it mean for the US? - Friday, November 22, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has identified what he sees as an all-purpose fix for what ails America: Slap huge new tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States.

On Monday, Trump sent shockwaves across the nation's northern and southern borders, vowing sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, as well as China, as soon as he takes office as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs.

4. Wall Street closes higher as the Dow reaches another record - Friday, November 22, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average to another all-time high. The Dow added 1% Monday to the record it set on Friday. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. Treasury yields eased in the bond market after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, to be his Treasury Secretary. Smaller companies can feel a big boost from easier borrowing costs, and the Russell 2000 index of small stocks jumped 1.5%, closing just shy of the record high it set three years ago.

5. Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record - Friday, November 22, 2024

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted its fifth straight gain and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched another record high.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The benchmark index's 1.7% gain for the week erased most of its loss from last week.

6. Walmart's promise of low prices proves to be a powerful draw in the third quarter - Friday, November 15, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart ratcheted up sales and profits again in the third quarter with its comparatively low prices proving a powerful draw for shoppers seeking to cut spending where they could.

7. Grocery chains vie for a place on Thanksgiving tables with turkey dinner deals and store brands - Friday, November 15, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, Walmart, Target, Aldi and other grocers are competing for a place on holiday tables with turkey dinner deals and other promotions to tempt Americans who haven't recovered from recent food price inflation.

8. Will the antitrust showdown launched under Biden turn into 'Let's Make A Deal' under Trump? - Friday, November 15, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The U.S. antitrust watchdogs that pounced on Big Tech and deterred corporate deal making throughout President Joe Biden's administration may be kept on a shorter leash by Donald Trump after he returns to the White House next year.

9. Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend - Friday, November 15, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy's steady growth.

Retail sales rose 0.4% from September to October, the Commerce Department said Friday, a solid increase though less than the previous month's robust 0.8% gain.

10. Markets Final: Wall Street drifts as Target tumbles - Friday, November 15, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish on Wednesday, though the modest moves for indexes masked some thrashing underneath the surface. Target lost more than a fifth of its value after the retailer gave a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season.

11. Many retailers offer 'returnless refunds.' Just don't expect them to talk much about it - Friday, November 1, 2024

It's one of the most under-publicized policies of some of the biggest U.S. retailers: sometimes they give customers full refunds and let them keep unwanted items too.

Returnless refunds are a tool that more retailers are using to keep online shoppers happy and to reduce shipping fees, processing time and other ballooning costs from returned products.

12. Court approves Tupperware's sale to lenders, paving way for brand's exit from bankruptcy - Friday, October 25, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. bankruptcy judge approved a sale of Tupperware Brands on Tuesday, paving the way for the iconic food-shortage company to soon exit Chapter 11 protection and continue offering its products while undergoing a hoped-for revitalization.

13. In a suburban Miami shopping center, Kmart's last 'Blue Light Specials' flicker - Friday, October 25, 2024

MIAMI (AP) — The last Kmart on the U.S. mainland sits at the west end of a busy suburban Miami shopping center, quiet and largely ignored.

All around it are thriving chain stores attracting steady streams of customers in sectors where the former box-store chain was once a major player: Marshalls, Hobby Lobby, PetSmart and Dollar Tree.

14. Entrepreneur Center names NEXT winners - Friday, October 25, 2024

Nashville Entrepreneur Center has announced the 2024 NEXT Awards winners, spotlighting entrepreneurs reshaping industries and fueling Middle Tennessee’s growth.

Fourteen startup and high-growth business leaders took the stage recently, with individuals and businesses awarded at two stages of growth. Winners are:

15. More frozen waffles and pancakes recalled over possible listeria contamination - Friday, October 18, 2024

A recall of hundreds of frozen waffle products and other toaster foods sold in many U.S. grocery stores has expanded because they may be contaminated with dangerous listeria bacteria, the manufacturer said Tuesday.

16. Social Security recipients will get a 2.5% cost-of-living boost in 2025, smaller than in recent past - Friday, October 11, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Social Security recipients will get a 2.5% cost-of-living increase to their monthly checks beginning in January, the Social Security Administration announced Thursday.

17. Judge rules the FTC can proceed with antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, tosses out few state claims - Friday, October 4, 2024

A federal judge said the Federal Trade Commission can proceed with its landmark antitrust lawsuit against Amazon. But, he also gave the company a small victory by tossing out a few claims made by states involved in the legal fight.

18. Amazon, Target and other retailers are ramping up hiring for the holiday shopping season - Friday, October 4, 2024

Retailers are ramping up hiring for the holiday season, but fewer seasonal employees are expected to be taken on this year to help customers in stores and assemble online orders in warehouses.

E-commerce giant Amazon said Thursday it will hire 250,000 full, part-time and seasonal workers for the crucial shopping period, rounding out a series of announcements made in recent weeks by the country's top retailers.

19. Replace Sevier with Elvis? What a Capitol idea - Friday, October 4, 2024

All in all, I’d say Arkansas just one-upped Tennessee, which is not something that happens very often, unless you’re talking about poverty rates or Walmart headquarters. Which I’m not.

20. Jimmy Carter at 100: A century of changes for a president, the US and the world since 1924 - Friday, September 27, 2024

Already the longest-lived of the 45 men to serve as U.S. president, Jimmy Carter is about to reach the century mark.

21. Trump favors huge new tariffs. What are they, and how do they work? - Friday, September 27, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has identified what he sees as an all-purpose fix for what ails America: Slap huge new tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States.

The former president and current Republican nominee asserts that tariffs — basically import taxes — will create more factory jobs, shrink the federal deficit, lower food prices and allow the government to subsidize childcare.

22. Hello, I'm Johnny Cash's statue: A monument to the singer is unveiled at the US Capitol - Friday, September 20, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johnny Cash can now be seen in the unlikeliest of venues: the U.S. Capitol.

Congressional leaders, Arkansas lawmakers and members of the Cash family were on hand Tuesday for the unveiling of a bronze statue depicting the "Man in Black."

23. Kmart's blue light fades to black with the shuttering of its last full-scale US store - Friday, September 20, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Attention, Kmart shoppers, the end is near!

The erstwhile retail giant renowned for its Blue Light Specials — featuring a flashing blue orb affixed to a pole enticing shoppers to a flash sale — is shuttering its last full-scale store in mainland United States.

24. Kroger, Albertsons prepare to make a final federal court argument for their merger - Friday, September 13, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Kroger and Albertsons were expected to present their closing arguments Tuesday in a U.S. District Court hearing on their proposed merger, which the federal government hopes to block.

25. A state's experience with grocery chain mergers spurs a fight to stop Albertsons' deal with Kroger - Friday, September 13, 2024

Lawyers for Washington state will have past grocery chain mergers – and their negative consequences – in mind when they go to court to block a proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger.

26. Biden is taking on cheap products from China. It could mean higher prices - Friday, September 13, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is cracking down on cheap products sold out of China, expanding a push to reduce U.S. dependence on Beijing and bolster homegrown industry, but that could trigger higher prices for U.S. consumers who flock to popular shopping sites like Temu and Shein.

27. Kroger's CEO says shoppers would see lower prices after the chain's merger with Albertsons - Friday, August 30, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The chief executive officer of Kroger insisted Wednesday that merging with rival Albertsons would allow the two supermarket companies to lower prices and more effectively compete with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon.

28. Dollar store chains are seeing a pullback in spending - Friday, August 30, 2024

Dollar Tree is slashing its full-year earnings and sales forecasts as its customers continue to struggle with higher prices and spend less.

Shares tumbled more than 10% before the opening bell Wednesday after hitting a 52-week low on the prior day. Less than a week ago, shares of rival bargain chain Dollar General had their biggest one-day decline ever after a dismal quarter.

29. Kroger, Albertsons defend merger plan - Friday, August 30, 2024

Kroger and Albertsons defended their plan to merge – and tried to overcome the U.S. government’s objections – in a federal court hearing that began Monday in Oregon.

The two companies proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in October 2022. They say joining together would help them rein in costs and better compete with big rivals like Walmart and Costco.

30. Kroger, Albertsons head to court to defend merger plan against US regulators' objections - Friday, August 23, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Kroger and Albertsons defended their plan to merge – and tried to overcome the U.S. government's objections – in a federal court hearing that began Monday in Oregon.

31. A tale of two retailers: Target reverses sales slump while Macy's reports another quarterly decline - Friday, August 16, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Grocery aisle deals and an emphasis on affordable but stylish clothes helped Target reverse a year-long sales slump, while Macy's on Wednesday reported another quarterly decline and said sales for the fiscal year will be weaker than expected due to a "more discriminating consumer" outlook.

32. Wall Street roars closer to its records as US shoppers help drive the economy - Friday, August 16, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rallied closer to its record highs following signs that the U.S. economy is holding up better than expected.

The S&P 500 jumped 1.6% Thursday. The index marked its sixth gain in a row and has stabilized after a scary few weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.4%, and the Nasdaq composite added 2.3%.

33. US shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices - Friday, August 16, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month by the most in a year and a half, easing concerns that the economy might be weakening under the pressure of higher prices and elevated interest rates.

34. Walmart grows more optimistic about 2024 as bargains prove a powerful lure for the inflation weary - Friday, August 16, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart had another quarter of strong sales that topped almost all expectations with its comparatively low prices proving a powerful draw for millions who have struggled with rising costs for housing, groceries and almost everything else.

35. Groceries are expensive, but they don't have to break the bank. Here are some tips to save - Friday, August 9, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — If you've noticed that you're paying more than before for the same amount of groceries, you're not the only one. Inflation is easing, but grocery prices are still high — up 21%, on average, since inflation started to surge more than three years ago.

36. All the comforts of home - Friday, August 16, 2024

As first-year college students head out to make their mark on the world, dorm rooms have become a critical initial expression of their changed status, not to mention expensive, as parents with $200 tufted headboards in their Amazon carts can attest.

37. Wall Street holds relatively steady ahead of big tests coming later in the week - Friday, August 9, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted through a quiet Monday to finish mixed, as markets around the world stabilized following a wild week of extreme swings.

The S&P 500 finished little changed, edging up by less than 0.01%, after flipping between small gains and losses through the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 140 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%.

38. MrBeast wants 'full assessment' of internal culture amid allegations of impropriety and unsafe sets - Friday, August 9, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — MrBeast has ordered a full assessment of the internal culture in his YouTube empire as well as an investigation into "allegations of inappropriate behavior by people in the company," according to a confidential memo obtained by The Associated Press.

39. Drugstores tinker with new looks as their usual way of doing business faces challenges - Friday, August 2, 2024

America's drugstores are testing smaller locations and more ways to offer care as price-sensitive shoppers look elsewhere.

Customers may see Walgreens stores that are one-fourth the size of a regular location or CVS drugstores with entire primary clinics stuffed inside. If these experiments succeed, the new stores might improve access to care and create a more lasting connection with customers, analysts say.

40. Retail sales unchanged in June from May, underscoring shoppers' resilience - Friday, July 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers paused their spending in June from May, defying economic forecasts for a pullback and proving their resilience in the face of an uncertain economy

Retail sales were unchanged in June from May, after being revised upward to a 0.3% increase in May, according to the Commerce Department. Last month, April sales were revised downward — a 0.2% decline, from unchanged. Sales rose 0.6% in March and 0.9% in February. That comes after sales fell 1.1% in January, dragged down in part by inclement weather.

41. Amazon Prime Day is a big event for scammers, experts warn - Friday, July 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon Prime Day is here, and experts are reminding consumers to be wary of scams.

Deceptions such as phony emails from people impersonating online retailers like Amazon are nothing new. But phishing attempts increase amid the heavy spending seen during significant sales events, whether it's Black Friday or Prime Day, according to the Better Business Bureau.

42. Walmart retools its young adult clothing line in pursuit of fashion credibility - Friday, July 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart has spent three years overhauling its mix of adult apparel to make it stylish as well as sensible for middle America. Now, the nation's largest retailer is seizing the back-to-school shopping season to take another shot at fashion respectability.

43. Amazon Prime Day deals are almost here. Should you take advantage? - Friday, July 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — It's summertime, and the bargains seem easy at a time when many consumer prices are high.

July sales events have become a seasonal revenue driver for the retail industry since Amazon launched its first Prime Day back in 2015. While consumers may be enticed by the advertised can't-miss savings on some products, personal finance experts say shoppers should be careful not to fall for potentially misleading marketing or give in to impulse buys.

44. Bullets for sale in handful of US grocery stores with ammo vending machines - Friday, July 5, 2024

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A company has installed computerized vending machines to sell ammunition in grocery stores in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas, allowing patrons to pick up bullets along with a gallon of milk.

45. Spoiler alert: The 911 operator did it - Friday, July 12, 2024

Of the millions of podcasts that have been launched since British journalist Ben Hammersley coined the term in 2004, none of them may be as unique or focused on its subject matter as longtime Nashville emergency dispatcher Brandon Hall’s Music City 911 true crime streaming program.

46. Target will stop accepting personal checks next week. Are the days of the payment method numbered? - Friday, July 5, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Target will no longer accept personal checks from shoppers as of July 15, another sign of how a once ubiquitous payment method is going the way of outmoded objects like floppy disks and the Rolodex.

47. Redbox owner Chicken Soup for the Soul files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection - Friday, June 28, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, the parent of DVD rental operator Redbox, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The bankruptcy filing comes after months of a series of financial struggles for the company and piling unpaid bills. Chicken Soup for the Soul has accumulated nearly $1 billion in debt, the Chapter 11 filing submitted Friday in Delaware bankruptcy court shows, after reporting loss after loss over recent quarters.

48. Walgreens to take a hard look at underperforming stores, could shutter hundreds more - Friday, June 28, 2024

Walgreens is finalizing a plan to fix its U.S. business that could result in closing hundreds of additional stores over the next three years.

CEO Tim Wentworth told analysts Thursday morning that "changes are imminent" for about 25% of the company's stores, which he said were underperforming. The drugstore chain currently runs more than 8,600 in the United States.

49. The legal odyssey for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and its owners is complex. Here's what to know - Friday, June 28, 2024

Members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma have been cast as prime villains in the U.S. opioid epidemic.

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a deal for the company to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids through bankruptcy court. The deal was to be financed largely through the company being converted to a public benefits corporation, with profits being used to fight the opioid crisis, and the owners kicking in up to $6 billion for the same purpose.

50. Amazon teams with Megan Thee Stallion to promote its 10th Prime Day sales event - Friday, June 21, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is partnering with hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion to boost sales for its 10th annual Prime Day discount event.

On Tuesday, the rapper unveiled a new original song called "It's Prime Day." An accompanying music video shows her purchasing a pink dog collar, fake eyelashes and other items from Amazon.

51. Nvidia's stock market value topped $3.3 trillion. How it became No. 1 in the S&P 500, by the numbers - Friday, June 14, 2024

Nvidia's startling ascent in the stock market reached another milestone Tuesday as the chipmaker rose to become the most valuable company in the S&P 500. Investors now say the company is worth over $3.3 trillion.

52. Retail sales rise a meager 0.1% in May from April as still high inflation curbs spending - Friday, June 14, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers barely increased spending in May from April as still high prices on groceries and other necessities and high interest rates curbed spending.

Retail sales rose 0.1% in May, below the pace that economists projected, according to the Commerce Department. And April sales were revised downward — a 0.2% decline, from unchanged. Sales rose 0.6% in March and 0.9% in February. That comes after sales fell 1.1% in January, dragged down in part by inclement weather.

53. Bankruptcy judge approves sale of Express Inc to group led by WHP Global - Friday, June 14, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of the majority of Express Inc. 's operations to a consortium led by brand acquisition and management firm WHP Global — providing a lifeline to the struggling retailer and its hundreds of remaining stores.

54. US inflation cooled in May in sign that price pressures might be easing - Friday, June 7, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation in the United States eased in May for a second straight month, a hopeful sign that an acceleration of prices that occurred early this year may have passed. The trend, if it holds, could move the Federal Reserve closer to cutting its benchmark interest rate from its 23-year peak.

55. Slightly more Americans apply for jobless benefits, but layoffs remain at healthy levels - Friday, June 7, 2024

The number of Americans applying for jobless claims rose last week, but layoffs remain at healthy levels despite lingering inflation and high interest rates.

Unemployment benefit applications for the week ending June 1 rose by 8,000 to 229,000, up from 221,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

56. Walmart offers new perks for workers, from a new bonus plan to opportunities in skilled trade jobs - Friday, May 31, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart is offering new perks for its hourly U.S. workers, ranging from a new bonus plan to opportunities to move into skilled trade jobs within the company.

The perks program announced Wednesday comes as the nation's largest private employer says it's seeing a decline in worker turnover. But Walmart, like other employers, faces a still-competitive labor market and increasing demands from its employees.

57. A stroll past the food court - Friday, June 7, 2024

Here’s a rundown of the better-known malls, past and present, in the Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga areas:

Rivergate Mall

Opened: October 1971

Owner: Hendon Properties (Georgia)

58. The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits inches up, layoffs remain low - Friday, May 31, 2024

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits ticked up last week, but layoffs remain historically low in the face of lingering inflation and high interest rates.

Jobless claims for the week ending May 25 rose by 3,000 to 219,000, up from 216,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

59. What pro pickers pick - Friday, May 31, 2024

Every June, the spotlight of the modern music-making world shines on Nashville and Middle Tennessee as both CMA Fest and Bonnaroo take their long-tenured turns on the summer festival forefront.

And every summer, an untold fraction of festivalgoers with talent, ambitious pickers, and performers with stardom in their eyes alight on the area to chase dreams of creating their own kinds of eras.

60. Major retailers are offering summer deals to entice inflation-weary shoppers - Friday, May 24, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans who spend Memorial Day scouting sales online and in stores may find more reasons to celebrate the return of warmer weather. Major retailers are stepping up discounts heading into the summer months, hoping to entice inflation-weary shoppers into opening their wallets.

61. Nasdaq sets another record as Wall Street wins back earlier losses - Friday, May 24, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose Friday in a bounce back from Wall Street's worst day since April.

The S&P 500 gained 36.88 points, or 0.7%, to 5,304.72 and won back all its losses from the prior two days. It eked out a tiny gain for the week, enough to extend its weekly winning streak to five, and is sitting just below its record set on Tuesday.

62. Despite surging demand for long-term care, providers struggle to find workers - Friday, May 24, 2024

The hardest part of Culix Wibonele's first job in long-term care was not getting injured.

Originally from Kenya, Wibonele worked as a certified nursing assistant in Atlanta in 2014. She went to the homes of mostly older clients, helping them with everything from bathing to cooking. Wibonele worked alone and sometimes had to lift clients much bigger than her.

63. Borrowers, especially the young, struggle with credit card debt in potentially bad sign for economy - Friday, May 24, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers are increasingly struggling to pay their credit card bills, raising concerns about severe delinquencies spiraling and sapping consumer spending.

The share of credit card debt that's more than 90 days overdue rose to 10.7% during the first quarter, a 14-year high, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's report on first-quarter household debt.

64. US applications for jobless benefits fall as labor market continues to thrive - Friday, May 24, 2024

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week as layoffs remained historically low despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to loosen the labor market.

Jobless claims for the week ending May 18 fell by 8,000 to 215,000, down from 223,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

65. Target sales decline to start the year, but it sees improvement - Friday, May 17, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Target on Wednesday posted a decline in quarterly revenue as still higher prices on essentials cut into shopper spending.

The Minneapolis retailer also delivered profit results that were below analyst expectations and issued a muted profit outlook. It posted its fourth straight quarter of declines in comparable sales — those from stores or digital channels operating at least 12 months. But Target said it expects that it will get back to quarterly sales growth this quarter.

66. More companies offer on-site child care. Parents love the convenience, but is it a long-term fix? - Friday, May 17, 2024

LAS VEGAS (AP) — They operate in places like an airport, a resort, and a distribution center, tucked away from the public eye but close enough for easy access. They often emit laughter — and the sound of tumbling blocks, bouncing balls, and meandering tricycles.

67. Target to lower prices on about 5,000 basic goods as inflation sends customers scrounging for deals - Friday, May 17, 2024

Target plans to cut prices on thousands of consumer basics this summer, from diapers to milk, as inflation cuts into household budgets and more Americans pay closer attention to their spending.

The price cuts, already applied to 1,500 items, will include 5,000 food, drink and essential household goods. Target and other retailers are increasingly catering to customers who are struggling with higher prices for groceries, though inflation has begun to cool. Many have switched to private label brands sold by Target and others big retailers, which are typically less expensive than well-known brands.

68. Wall Street hangs around its records after Dow briefly tops 40,000 - Friday, May 17, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged back from their record heights Thursday after the Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly topped the 40,000 level for the first time.

The Dow slipped 38.62 points, or 0.1%, to 39,869.38. The S&P 500 index, which is much more widely followed on Wall Street, dipped 11.05, or 0.2%, to 5,297.10, and the Nasdaq composite fell 44.07, or 0.3%, to 16,698.32. All three indexes had rallied on Wednesday to all-time highs.

69. Dow just crossed 40,000 for the first time. The number is big but means little for your 401(k) - Friday, May 17, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The Dow Jones Industrial Average just topped 40,000 for the first time, the latest pop in what's been a surprisingly good year for Wall Street.

But just like New Year's represents an arbitrary point in time in the Earth's revolution around the sun, such milestones for the Dow don't mean that much inherently.

70. US applications for jobless benefits decline after last week's 9-month high - Friday, May 17, 2024

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs remain at historically low levels even as other signs that the labor market is cooling have surfaced.

Jobless claims for the week ending May 11 fell by 10,000 to 222,000, down from 232,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Last week's applications were the most since the final week of August 2023, though it's still a relatively low number of layoffs.

71. Walmart's strong first quarter driven by consumers seeking bargains with inflation still an issue - Friday, May 17, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart Inc. reported another quarter of strong results Thursday as its low prices pull in shoppers scouring for discounts with inflation stubbornly high.

The nation's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, also offered an upbeat outlook. Share rose more than 6% in early afternoon trading.

72. Retail sales were unchanged in April from March as inflation and interest rates curb spending - Friday, May 10, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans unexpectedly paused their spending in April from March as inflation continued to sting and elevated interest rates made taking on debt more burdensome.

Retail sales were unchanged, coming in well below economists' expectations, and follow a revised 0.6% pace in March, according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday. Sales rose 0.9% in February. That comes after sales fell 1.1% in January, dragged down in part by inclement weather.

73. Walmart lays off hundreds of employees and requires others to relocate - Friday, May 10, 2024

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Walmart on Tuesday announced layoffs affecting several hundred jobs at the retail giant's campus offices.

It also said it will require most remote workers and personnel in its Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto offices to relocate to its primary offices in Bentonville, Arkansas; Hoboken, New Jersey; and the San Francisco Bay Area.

74. Wall Street ends higher, sending Nasdaq to a record high - Friday, May 10, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose on Wall Street Tuesday, pushing the Nasdaq composite to another record and leaving the S&P 500 sitting just shy of its own all-time high.

The late gains closed out a mostly wobbly day of trading as investors reviewed a mixed report on inflation and await an even more important inflation update on Wednesday. Stocks have been generally gaining ground in May following a dismal April.

75. Target to reduce number of stores carrying Pride-themed merchandise after last year's backlash - Friday, May 10, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Target confirmed Friday that it won't carry Pride Month merchandise at all stories this spring after the discount retailer experienced backlash and lower sales over its collection honoring LGBTQ+ communities.

76. Despite numbers showing a healthy economy overall, lower-income spenders are showing the strain - Friday, May 10, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Cracks are showing in one of the main pillars keeping the economy out of a recession: resilient spending by U.S. households.

Consumer goods giants from PepsiCo to Kraft Heinz have described recently how the combination of high inflation and higher interest rates is hurting their lower-income customers.

77. Instacart partners with Uber Eats to offer restaurant deliveries - Friday, May 3, 2024

Grocery delivery company Instacart is partnering with Uber Eats to offer a new perk to its customers: restaurant delivery.

San Francisco-based Instacart said Tuesday that its U.S. shoppers will see a "Restaurants" tab in the company's app in the coming weeks. Restaurant orders will be delivered by Uber Eats drivers.

78. Apps allow workers to get paid between checks, but ... - Friday, May 3, 2024

When Anna Branch, 37, had her hours at work reduced in 2019, she suddenly noticed ads for an app called EarnIn.

“You know how they get you – the algorithms – like they’re reading your mind,” Branch said. “The ad said I could get up to $100 this week and repay it in my next pay period.”

79. Walmart to close its 51 health centers and virtual care service - Friday, April 26, 2024

Walmart is closing its health centers and virtual care service after struggling to find success with the offerings, the U.S. retailer said Tuesday.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said that after managing the clinics it launched in 2019 and expanding its telehealth program, it concluded "there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue."

80. Walmart launches store-label food brand as it seeks to appeal to younger shoppers - Friday, April 26, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart is launching the U.S. retailer's biggest store-label food brand in 20 years in terms of the breadth of items, seeking to appeal to younger customers who are not loyal to grocery brands and want chef-inspired foods that are more affordably priced.

81. These apps allow workers to get paid between paychecks. Experts say there are steep costs - Friday, April 19, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — When Anna Branch, 37, had her hours at work reduced at the start of the pandemic in 2020, she suddenly noticed ads for an app called EarnIn.

"You know how they get you — the algorithms — like they're reading your mind," Branch said. "The ad said I could get up to $100 this week and repay it in my next pay period."

82. Federal Trade Commission sues to block Tapestry's $8.5B acquisition of Capri - Friday, April 19, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission sued to block Tapestry, Inc.'s $8.5 billion acquisition of Capri Holdings Ltd., saying that the deal would eliminate direct head-to-head competition between the fashion companies' brands like Coach and Michael Kors in the so-called affordable luxury handbag arena.

83. Kroger, Albertsons – still hoping to merge – agree to sell more stores to satisfy regulators - Friday, April 19, 2024

Supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons said Monday they will sell more of their stores in an effort to quell the federal government's concerns about their proposed merger.

The companies now plan to sell 579 Kroger and Albertsons stores in markets where they overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire grocery supplier and operator, for $2.9 billion. Under the initial divestiture plan, announced in September, C&S had planned to purchase 413 stores for $1.9 billion.

84. Outside roles by NBC's Conde, others reveal a journalism ethics issue: being paid to sit on boards - Friday, April 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — As NBC News Group chairman, Cesar Conde, is already busy overseeing the network's broadcast and digital news operations, along with CNBC, MSNBC, Telemundo and NBC-owned local affiliates.

85. Federal EV charging stations are key to Biden's climate agenda, yet only 4 states have them - Friday, March 29, 2024

LONDON, Ohio (AP) — Within 24 hours of buying his red Ford Mustang Mach-E, Liam Sawyer set off on a camping trip.

Sawyer, who bought the electric SUV "because I think the technology is cool and the range is just long enough," searched ahead of time for convenient charging stations between his home in Indianapolis and Allegheny National Forest in western Pennsylvania.

86. Do you want fries with that? Krispy Kreme doughnuts are coming to McDonald's - Friday, March 22, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Krispy Kreme and McDonald's are getting together over breakfast.

The doughnut chain and the fast food giant unveiled plans Tuesday to offer Krispy Kreme products at McDonald's locations across the United States. A phased rollout is expected to start later this year, the companies said, with availability at participating restaurants nationwide expected by the end of 2026.

87. Want to feel special? Stores and restaurants with paid memberships are betting on it - Friday, March 15, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — How much does it cost to feel special? At Chuck E- Cheese, the family entertainment and pizza chain, the price is $7.99, $11.99 or $29.99 per month. At the other end of the spectrum, the founder of a shopping app called Long Story Short wants to charge members $1,000 monthly for anonymous access to such hard-to-get goods as a rare Keith Haring artwork.

88. Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says he's putting together investor group to buy TikTok - Friday, March 15, 2024

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that he will put together an investor group to buy TikTok after the House passed a bill that would ban the popular video app in the U.S. if its China-based owner does not sell its stake.

89. February retail sales up 0.6%, yet fissures emerge in what has been a driving force for US economy - Friday, March 15, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans picked up their spending a bit in February after pulling back the previous month. But last month's gain was weaker than expected, and January's decline was revised even lower, suggesting that many are growing more cautious with their money.

90. US lawmakers say TikTok won't be banned if it finds a new owner. But that's easier said than done - Friday, March 8, 2024

U.S. lawmakers are threatening to ban TikTok but also say they are giving its Chinese parent company a chance to keep it running.

The premise of a bipartisan bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday is that TikTok fans in the U.S. can keep scrolling through their favorite social media app so long as Beijing-based ByteDance gives up on owning it.

91. Target launches new paid membership program in a bid to drive sales at a time of cautious spending - Friday, March 1, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Target, looking for ways to add sales, is relaunching its Target Circle loyalty program including a new paid membership with unlimited free same-day delivery in as little as an hour for orders over $35.

92. Some doorbell cameras sold on Amazon and other online sites have major security flaws, report says - Friday, March 1, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Some doorbell cameras sold by Amazon and other online retailers have security flaws that could allow bad actors to view footage from the devices or control them completely, according to an investigation published Thursday by Consumer Reports.

93. Surge in Wendy's complaints exposes limits to consumer tolerance of unstable prices - Friday, March 1, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers will pay more for a flight to Florida or for a hotel room during peak vacation times. They fork out more for a rush hour Uber ride, perhaps while grinding their teeth, and rely on apps like ParkWhiz or ParkMobile to book spots for their cars at premium prices.

94. FTC sues to block Kroger, Albertsons merger - Friday, March 1, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission sued to block a proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, saying the $24.6 billion deal would eliminate competition and lead to higher prices for millions of Americans.

95. Why does the US govt. think a Kroger-Albertsons merger would be bad for grocery shoppers? - Friday, February 23, 2024

Kroger and Albertsons — two of the biggest grocery chains in the United States — had hoped to complete the largest supermarket merger in the country's history this year. But their plan to compete with big-box retailers by combining forces faces legal challenges that make it look far less likely, at least any time soon.

96. US sues to block merger of grocery giants Kroger, Albertsons, saying it could push prices higher - Friday, February 23, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission sued to block a proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, saying the $24.6 billion deal would eliminate competition and lead to higher prices for millions of Americans.

97. Amazon joins 29 other 'blue chip' companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average - Friday, February 23, 2024

Amazon.com Inc. is joining the ranks of one of Wall Street's oldest and most exclusive stock indexes: The Dow Jones Industrial Average.

The e-commerce pioneer will officially take its position among the 30-company Dow before the open of trading Monday, replacing drugstore operator Walgreens Boots Alliance.

98. Amazon to be added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance - Friday, February 16, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon.com Inc. is being added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, joining Apple, Walt Disney, Walmart and other companies that make up the 30-stock average.

99. Tech stocks pull Wall Street lower, led by investor favorite Nvidia - Friday, February 16, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks led Wall Street broadly lower as chipmaker Nvidia pulled back ahead of its earnings report this week.

The S&P 500 fell 0.6% Tuesday. The benchmark index is coming off only its second losing week in the last 16. The Nasdaq composite gave up 0.9% and the Dow lost 0.2%.

100. Walmart rips again in Q4 but as inflation retreats, so does customer spending per trip - Friday, February 16, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart reported another quarter of stellar results, ending the year on a high note as its low prices attract shoppers looking for deals in an economically challenging environment beset by a recent bout of inflation.