The Key to U.S. GDP Growth is Women, Says S&P Global Economists
It's no secret that the financial industry used to be dominated by men, but there are a few women who are breaking the mold and rising through the ranks. Beth Ann Bovino, S&P Global's Chief Economist, was with us to explain how important women are to not only the workforce, but the economy.
Bovino shares the keys for women to overcome obstacles and climb the corporate ladder. One of the biggest burdens women face, she said, is that they don't pursue opportunities because they are held back by the responsibility of childcare. Bovino said companies have been taking steps in the right direction with benefits such as paying for maternity leave and family care. She does think an area of improvement would be "flex time."
In her recent report titled "The Keys to Unlocking U.S. GDP Growth? Women," Bovino highlights the positive impact of female participation in the labor force. If the U.S. had a similar female workforce to Norway, for example, its economy would be $1.6 trillion larger than it is today, according to S&P Global economists.
President Donald Trump's administration last month awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what's expected to become the nation’s largest immigration detention complex to a tiny Virginia firm with no experience running correction facilities.
Chipmaker Nvidia is poised to release a quarterly report that could provide a better sense of whether the stock market has been riding an overhyped artificial intelligence bubble or is being propelled by a technological boom that’s still gathering momentum.
Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.