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James Thornton
James Thornton
Finance & Economy Editor

James covers Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, trade policy, and the intersection of politics and financial markets.

177 articles published

America's Split Reality: Digital Wealth vs. Physical Debt
Finance
America's Split Reality: Digital Wealth vs. Physical Debt
A new analysis reveals how social media and easy credit have created two Americas: one performing wealth online, the oth
Costco to Open 33 New Warehouses in FY2027, Targeting U.S. and Global Markets
Finance
Costco to Open 33 New Warehouses in FY2027, Targeting U.S. and Global Markets
Costco will open 33 new warehouses in fiscal year 2027, with 14 locations already announced and further expansion planne
Wall Street rebounds as oil retreats, but bond yields keep pressure on
Finance
Wall Street rebounds as oil retreats, but bond yields keep pressure on
US stocks finished the week higher as oil prices cooled, though a jump in bond yields and inflation expectations kept ga
Costco Members Can Score $60 Shop Cards with P&G Purchases
Finance
Costco Members Can Score $60 Shop Cards with P&G Purchases
Costco is rewarding members with up to $60 in shop cards for purchases of select Procter & Gamble brands. Qualifying rec
Debt Surges in Affordable States as Fed Rate Hike Looms
Finance
Debt Surges in Affordable States as Fed Rate Hike Looms
Residents of Idaho and Utah have seen their average debt double in ten years, with credit card debt soaring in Nevada. T
Warsh Gains Investor Trust as Bessent Faces Bond Market Backlash
Finance
Warsh Gains Investor Trust as Bessent Faces Bond Market Backlash
Investors now view Fed Chair Kevin Warsh as a credible inflation fighter, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faces c
Warsh gains investor trust as Bessent's bond strategy backfires
Finance
Warsh gains investor trust as Bessent's bond strategy backfires
Wall Street's confidence in Kevin Warsh is rising while Scott Bessent faces criticism over bond market interventions and
30-Year Mortgage Rate Climbs Past 7% for First Time Since January
Finance
30-Year Mortgage Rate Climbs Past 7% for First Time Since January
The average 30-year mortgage rate topped 7% for the first time since January 2025, reaching 7.03% amid Fed rate hikes an
Long-Term Treasury Yields Surge to 20-Year High Amid War and Debt Fears
Finance
Long-Term Treasury Yields Surge to 20-Year High Amid War and Debt Fears
The 30-year U.S. Treasury yield reached 5.45% on Thursday, a two-decade high, before easing. Rising debt, the Iran confl
Fed's Barr Signals More Rate Hikes Ahead as Inflation Persists
Finance
Fed's Barr Signals More Rate Hikes Ahead as Inflation Persists
Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr said more rate hikes are likely to bring inflation down to target, after the Fed r
Minneapolis Fed's Kashkari: Inflation Pressures Remain Widespread
Finance
Minneapolis Fed's Kashkari: Inflation Pressures Remain Widespread
Neel Kashkari warns inflation is 'still too high' in all sectors, echoing the Fed's recent quarter-point rate hike to co
Wendy's Franchisee With 314 Restaurants Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Finance
Wendy's Franchisee With 314 Restaurants Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Meritage Hospitality Group, which runs 314 Wendy's locations across 15 states, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to re
Fed review: Supervisors missed SVB red flags despite warnings
Finance
Fed review: Supervisors missed SVB red flags despite warnings
A new review finds Fed supervisors knew or should have known about Silicon Valley Bank's vulnerabilities, blaming a risk
Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Chairman, Hands Reins to Son
Finance
Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Chairman, Hands Reins to Son
Warren Buffett has stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway's chairman, naming his son Howard as successor. He remains on the
Where $1.2M Retirement Savings Actually Lasts Longest
Finance
Where $1.2M Retirement Savings Actually Lasts Longest
A new analysis reveals vast geographic differences in how long $1.2 million in retirement savings lasts, from age 111 in
Where $1.2M Retirement Savings Stretch the Farthest—and Shortest
Finance
Where $1.2M Retirement Savings Stretch the Farthest—and Shortest
A new state-by-state analysis reveals that $1.2M in retirement savings can last until age 111 in Oklahoma but only until
Forbes 400: Wealthiest American in Every State, From Musk to Buffett
Finance
Forbes 400: Wealthiest American in Every State, From Musk to Buffett
Forbes' latest ranking of America's 400 richest shows a record $8 trillion in combined wealth. Elon Musk leads at $908 b
Target Accelerates Expansion With October Openings, Dozens More Planned
Finance
Target Accelerates Expansion With October Openings, Dozens More Planned
Target opens eight new stores in October, with more than 30 additional locations planned across 21 states. The retailer