E-commerce growth is driving FedEx’s plans to add 55,000 employees this holiday season, increase workers’ hours and permanently run its U.S. ground parcel operation six days a week.

The Memphis-based company announced the moves Wednesday, Sept. 12, as it ramps up for what’s expected to be another record package volume during the peak season from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

2. As Job Openings Reach Unprecedented Levels, So Does Quitting - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers advertised the most jobs on record in July, and the number of workers quitting their jobs also hit a new all-time high.

Americans are increasingly taking advantage of a tight labor market to find new, often higher-paying jobs.

3. The Week Ahead: Sept. 10-16 - Monday, September 10, 2018

The big Cooper-Young Festival, a much-anticipated annual event in the Midtown neighborhood, will be held on Saturday. The day-long celebration includes several pre-events in the days preceding it, including an artists’ show and 4-mile race to raise funds for the Cooper-Young Community Association. Have a great time, Memphis!

4. Intent on Getting a Big Raise? You May Have to Quit Your Job - Monday, September 10, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite one of the best job markets in decades, workers across the U.S. economy are struggling with a common frustration: What does it take to finally get a decent raise?

5. Last Word: End of Term, After The Testimony and John McCain - Monday, August 27, 2018

Shelby County commissioners meet Monday for what is the last regularly scheduled meeting of their four-year term of office. Eight of the 13 commissioners are leaving the body of 13 at the end of this month as is Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.

6. Powell Signals More Hikes Ahead If US Economy Stays Strong - Monday, August 27, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled Friday that he expects the Fed to continue gradually raising interest rates if the U.S. economic expansion remains strong.

7. S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 Close at Record Highs - Monday, August 27, 2018

Wall Street ended a week of milestones with a few more Friday.

The benchmark S&P 500 index closed at an all-time high, just two days after the current bull market in U.S. stocks became the longest in history. The Nasdaq composite and the Russell 2000 indexes also ended the day at all-time highs.

8. US Banks Made More Than $60 Billion In Profits Last Quarter - Friday, August 24, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. banks set a record by making more than $60 billion in profits in the second quarter, federal regulators said Thursday, up more than 25 percent from a year earlier.

9. Slide in banks, energy firms weighs on US stock indexes - Friday, August 24, 2018

Stocks drifted mostly lower in late-afternoon trading on Wall Street Thursday, on track to add to the market's modest losses a day earlier. A slide in banks and energy companies offset solid gains for the technology sector. Homebuilders also declined following new data showing sales of new U.S. homes slumped in July.

10. Fed Minutes Suggest Further Rate Hikes Coming 'Soon' - Thursday, August 23, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve officials earlier this month said that a strong economy meant that it would "likely soon be appropriate" to boost their benchmark interest rate for a third time this year.

11. US Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.9 Percent as Hiring Slows - Monday, August 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Employers pulled back on hiring in July, but the job gains were still enough to lower the U.S. unemployment rate a tick to 3.9 percent from 4 percent.

Employers added 157,000 jobs last month, a modest gain, the Labor Department said Friday. That's below the 215,000 average for the first seven months this year, but economists said the decline will likely prove temporary.

12. US Stocks Mostly Higher After Solid Jobs Report for July - Monday, August 6, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are mostly higher Friday after the Labor Department said hiring remained solid in July. Larger companies climbed while smaller, U.S.-focused companies lagged the rest of the market. There was little immediate reaction to China's threat to put tariffs on $60 billion in American goods. Bond prices edged higher, sending yields lower. Food companies and other big-dividend stocks climbed.

13. Inflation, Gas Prices, Tariffs Squeeze Consumers - Thursday, August 2, 2018

The price of a can of Coca-Cola? Likely going up. A package of Pampers? That too. Plane tickets? They also may be more expensive. These items and more may cost more in the coming months as people start feeling the effects of higher fuel prices and raw-material costs as well as a range of tariffs.

14. US Stock Indexes are Mostly Higher as Earnings Roll In - Thursday, July 26, 2018

U.S. stock indexes were mostly higher in afternoon trading Wednesday following a mixed batch of quarterly earnings results from General Motors, Boeing, Coca-Cola and other big companies. Gains in technology and health care stocks outweighed losses in banks and other sectors. Homebuilders slumped on government data showing sales of new U.S. homes fell in June.

15. Stocks End Slightly Lower as Traders Shrug Off Trade Talk - Monday, July 23, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks inched lower Friday as bond yields jumped, a shift that helped banks but hurt companies that pay big dividends. The dollar fell after President Donald Trump said China is manipulating its currency.

16. Pay Down Debt or Save Money? How to Allocate Your Cash - Friday, July 20, 2018

It's one of the most common questions financial advisers hear: should I prioritize paying down debt or building up savings?

Americans have a cozy relationship with debt – student loans, credit cards and car loans are commonplace. The Federal Reserve said that consumer borrowing rose $24.5 billion in May alone to hit almost $3.9 trillion. And that doesn't include mortgage or real estate-secured debt, like home equity lines. Add rising interest rates to that mix and you've got quite the budget burden.

17. Trump Slams Rate Increases by Independent Federal Reserve - Friday, July 20, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump on Thursday cast aside concerns about the Federal Reserve's independence, saying he was "not happy" with the Fed's recent interest rate increases.

18. Fed Says Trade War Downturn Could Pose Challenges - Thursday, July 19, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday that the central bank has tools it can use to cushion the potential economic fallout from a trade war. But he told Congress the effort could be challenging if higher tariffs push inflation up too sharply.

19. Federal Reserve Projects Further Gradual Hikes in Key Rate - Monday, July 16, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve said Friday it expects low unemployment and rising inflation will keep it on track to raise interest rates at a gradual pace over the next two years. By late 2019, the Fed says its key policy rate should be at a level that will be slightly restrictive for growth.

20. Stocks Skid as Trade War Worsens With New Tariff Threats - Thursday, July 12, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — Global stock indexes are sinking Wednesday after the Trump administration released a list of $200 billion in goods that could be hit with tariffs and China said it would retaliate. The dollar is climbing and oil prices are plunging. Industrial and materials companies are also falling.

21. US Consumer Borrowing Up $24 Billion in May - Tuesday, July 10, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans increased their borrowing in May at the fastest pace in a year and a half, boosted by a big increase in credit card borrowing.

Consumer debt rose $24.5 billion in May after an increase of $10 billion in April, the Federal Reserve reported Monday. It was the biggest monthly increase since a rise of $24.8 billion in November 2016.

22. Fed Officials Discuss Rate Hikes That Could Slow Growth - Friday, July 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve officials last month said they expect to keep raising interest rates and suggested that by the next year, they could be high enough that they could start slowing growth, according to minutes of their discussion released Thursday.

23. Stocks emerge from wild, unpredictable first half with gains - Monday, July 2, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — The first half of the year was full of surprises on Wall Street.

Even experts and investors who expected more volatility after a historically calm 2017 were caught off guard by many of the developments inside and outside the markets this year, including the rapid gains stocks made in January, their abrupt descent into a "correction," and the ongoing trade tensions that threatened to undo the benefits of the GOP tax overhaul and strong corporate profits. Still, consumer-focused companies like retailers had a strong start to the year and technology companies continued to rally, while high-dividend stocks, especially phone companies and household goods makers, lagged behind.

24. U.S. GDP Revised Down to Lackluster 2 Percent Rate In Q1 - Friday, June 29, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. economic growth in the first quarter was revised down to a lackluster 2 percent — a sharp deceleration and the poorest showing in a year. But economists expect a significant rebound in the current quarter, forecasting a sizzling growth rate of 4 percent or more.

25. Financial Literacy and Adults - Friday, June 22, 2018

Ray’s Take: Can you explain what risk diversification is? Can you identify the effects of inflation? Do you know how to calculate interest? If you answered yes to these three questions, you are better off than 43 percent of Americans and a whopping two-thirds of the world’s population, according to Maggie McGrath in an article written for Forbes Magazine about the results from the first-ever S&P Global FinLit Survey.

26. Why Many Americans Aren't Benefiting From Robust US Economy - Monday, June 18, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – "The economy," Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell declared this week, "is doing very well."

And it is. Steady hiring has shrunk unemployment to 3.8 percent – the lowest since the 1960's. Consumers are spending. Taxes are down. Inflation is tame. Factories are busy. Demand for homes is strong. Household wealth is up.

27. Fed Raises Key Rate, Sees Possible Acceleration in Hikes - Thursday, June 14, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate for the second time this year and signaled that it may step up its pace of rate increases because of solid economic growth and rising inflation.

28. Senate Panel Approves Nominations for 2 Fed Board Seats - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday approved President Donald Trump's nomination of Columbia University professor Richard Clarida to be the vice chairman of the Federal Reserve. The panel also approved the nomination of Kansas bank commissioner Michelle Bowman to fill another vacancy on the Fed's seven-member board.

29. 3 Things to Watch for From the Federal Reserve on Wednesday - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – No one will likely be surprised by the announcement the Fed is set to make when its latest policy meeting ends Wednesday: That it's raising its key short-term interest rate for the second time this year.

30. Fed Watchers Await Rate Forecast With a Hike All But Certain - Tuesday, June 12, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Another interest rate increase is all but certain when the Federal Reserve meets this week. What's not so sure is whether the vigorous U.S. economy will lead the Fed to accelerate its rate hikes in the months ahead – a move that could raise the risk of a recession.

31. Home Equity Boosts US Household Wealth 1 Pct. to $100.8T - Friday, June 8, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Increased home prices boosted U.S. household net worth 1 percent in the January-March quarter to crack $100 trillion for the first time.

The Federal Reserve said Thursday that home values rose $500 billion, offsetting a decline in stock portfolios of $400 billion. Overall household wealth rose to $100.8 trillion from $99.7 trillion in the October-December quarter.

32. US Job Openings Tick Up to New Record High - Wednesday, June 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. businesses posted the most job openings on record in April for the second straight month, underscoring the economy's strong demand for workers.

The number of available jobs rose 1 percent to 6.7 million from 6.6 million in March, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That's the most since records began in December 2000.

33. US Economic Growth Revised Down to 2.2 Percent Rate in Q1 - Thursday, May 31, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy grew at a weaker 2.2 percent annual rate in the first three months of the year, as consumers and businesses slowed their spending. But given the economy's recent performance, analysts are still looking for a solid rebound in the current quarter.

34. Loan Demand Down as Company Owners Turn to Personal Funds - Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Fewer small employers sought loans and other financing toward the end of last year as many companies dealt with fiscal challenges.

That's the finding of a survey of more than 8,100 companies released last week by the 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks. The survey showed that demand for financing fell, with 40 percent of companies seeking funding, down from 45 percent a year earlier.

35. Fed Chair Powell Stresses Importance of an Independent Fed - Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned Friday that the Fed's independence from political pressure must be respected if it is to succeed in controlling inflation, maximizing employment and regulating the financial system.

36. Trump Signs Bill Easing Post-2008 Crisis Restraints on Banks - Friday, May 25, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump on Thursday signed into law a measure that loosens key restraints for banks imposed after the 2008 financial crisis and Great Recession. Savoring the legislative triumph, he called it "the next step in America's unprecedented economic comeback."

37. Fed Minutes: Another Rate Hike Likely 'Soon' - Thursday, May 24, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve officials earlier this month suggested that another rate hike was on the way soon, while also noting several risks facing the economy from rising wage pressures to potential harm from administration trade policies.

38. Hopson’s Schools Budget Features $12.7M Gap for County to Consider - Thursday, May 24, 2018

The school year that ends Thursday, May 24, marks five years since the historic change in public education kicked off in August 2013.

First was the one-year merger of city and county schools, followed by the demerger into seven public school systems within Shelby County.

39. Hopson's Schools Budget Features $12.9 Million Gap For County To Consider - Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The school year that ends Thursday, May 24, marks five school years since the historic change in public education kicked off in August 2013 with the one-year merger of city and county schools followed by the demerger into seven public school systems within the county.

40. Low US Unemployment Rate Masks Financial Struggles for Many - Wednesday, May 23, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Federal Reserve survey shows that despite an ultra-low 3.9 percent unemployment rate, about one-third of U.S. adults faced financial insecurity last year and often struggled to pay unexpected expenses.

41. Congress Nears Dismantling of Post-Crisis Bank Rules - Wednesday, May 23, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress was taking a final step Tuesday toward dismantling a chunk of the rules framework for banks installed to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 financial crisis that brought millions of lost jobs and foreclosed homes.

42. What Rising Interest Rates Mean for Savers, Borrowers - Monday, May 21, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Interest rates are charging higher, and that can be a good or bad thing depending on whether you're saving or borrowing.

For savers, it's a long-awaited win. After years of making virtually nothing on their money market accounts and certificates of deposit, savers are finally getting closer to keeping up with inflation. Investors are also getting rewarded with higher interest payments for buying newly issued bonds.

43. Trump Pick for Vice Chair Pledges Support for Key Fed Goals - Wednesday, May 16, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Richard Clarida, President Donald Trump's nominee for the No. 2 post at the Federal Reserve, is pledging support for the Fed's twin goals of stabilizing inflation and maximizing employment while also declaring the importance of the central bank's independence.

44. Last Word: New Football League, Drone Testing and New Chandler Numbers - Thursday, May 10, 2018

The Alliance of American Football announces its presence in Memphis Thursday afternoon at the Liberty Bowl. And so begins another chapter in the city’s colorful history of start-up leagues. It is a long history dominated by football with a good stretch of the timeline taking in the city’s pursuit of an NFL franchise. Sometimes the rules are a bit different and the leagues have a history of not lasting very long. But they are fondly remembered.

45. Fed's Powell: Rate Hikes Should Not Upend the Global Economy - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Moves by the Fed and other major central banks to raise interest rates after a long period of keeping them low should not be disruptive to the global economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday.

46. US Job Openings Equal Unemployed for 1st Time in 2 Decades - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – If you're looking for a job right now, this may be about as good as it gets: There are roughly as many open jobs in the United States as there are unemployed people.

In March, employers advertised 6.55 million open jobs, the most on records dating to December 2000, the Labor Department said Tuesday . At the same time, there were 6.59 million unemployed people.

47. Just Right: Fed Official Says US Living 'Goldilocks' Economy - Monday, May 7, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – With steady growth, low unemployment and tame inflation, the U.S. is experiencing a "Goldilocks" economy: Not too hot. Not too cold. But just right.

So says a top Federal Reserve official, who on Friday suggested that the unemployment rate could fall further to 3.5 percent with inflation modestly overshooting the Fed's target for a time without raising concerns.

48. 2nd-Longest US Expansion on Record Keeps Churning Out Jobs - Monday, May 7, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy has delivered steady if only modest gains for most Americans since the Great Recession ended in 2009. It's been a frustration for many.

Yet the very sluggishness of the economic expansion helps explain why it's now the second-longest on record and why more of the country might soon benefit from higher pay.

49. Fed Keeps Key Rate Steady But Notes Rising Inflation - Thursday, May 3, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday but noted that inflation is nearing the Fed's 2 percent target rate after years of remaining undesirably low.

50. Goldman Sachs to Pay $109.5 Million for Trading Violations - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Goldman Sachs agreed Tuesday to pay a combined $109.5 million in fines to federal and New York state authorities to settle charges that the investment bank's currency traders unlawfully shared customers' order information with other banks in order to take advantage of the market.

51. Fed is Set to Leave Rates Alone But to Hike Later in Year - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve is all but sure to leave interest rates unchanged this week, though steady economic growth and inflation pressures will likely keep the Fed on a path toward further rate hikes later this year.

52. The Latest: Global Leaders Fear Rising Trade Tensions - Monday, April 23, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — The latest from the spring meetings of the Group of 20 major economies, the 189-nation International Monetary Fund and its sister lending institution, the World Bank. (All times local)

53. Wells Fargo Fined $1B for Mortgage, Auto Lending Abuses - Monday, April 23, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — Wells Fargo will pay $1 billion to federal regulators to settle charges tied to misconduct at its mortgage and auto lending business, the latest punishment levied against the banking giant for widespread customer abuses.

54. 3 US Banks Post Higher Profits With Huge Assist From Tax Law - Monday, April 16, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Three of America's biggest banks reported higher profits Friday, with a huge assist from the tax law passed late last year.

JPMorgan reported a record quarterly profit, while Citigroup and Wells Fargo topped analyst expectations.

55. Mulvaney Insists Consumer Watchdog is Still Doing its Job - Thursday, April 12, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Mick Mulvaney tried Wednesday to reassure Democrats on a House finance panel that he's committed to punishing unscrupulous financial companies, while agreeing with Republicans that the watchdog agency he runs needs to be reined in and refocused.

56. Fed in March Discussed 'Slightly Steeper' Future Rate Hikes - Thursday, April 12, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve officials signaled rising confidence last month that a strong economy will lift inflation closer to its 2 percent target and that they may accelerate the Fed's pace of interest rate hikes as a result.

57. Mortgage Market Up 2 Percent in March - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

When Financial Federal executive vice president John Loebel looks at the local mortgage market, he has a straightforward assessment: If you want to buy a home, buy it now.

“The mortgage rate trend is up, period,” he said. “With the Federal Reserve’s consistent raising of rates to control inflation, we foresee this will only continue. We wouldn’t be surprised if rates hit 5 percent next quarter. Due to these variables, we’re experiencing such a seller’s market. Countless buyers are bidding on every single home, decreasing the timeframe for negotiations and even appraisals.”

58. Powell Says Fed Expects to Stick With Gradual Rate Hikes - Monday, April 9, 2018

CHICAGO (AP) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Friday painted a mostly sunny view of the U.S. economy and said the Fed remains committed to raising its key interest rate gradually unless events change. He said it was too soon to determine how a trade fight with China could affect the U.S. economy.

59. Workers Benefit as US Businesses Struggle to Fill Jobs - Monday, April 9, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. workers are increasingly benefiting as employers struggle to fill millions of open jobs.

More people who had given up looking for work are renewing their job hunts, more employees are confident enough to quit to look for other jobs and pay is gradually picking up.

60. Small Business Dilemma: Raise Prices or Absorb Inflation? - Monday, April 2, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Higher energy prices and borrowing costs make it more expensive than last year for Bill Savickas to operate his wholesale produce business – especially since it's hard to pass the increases on to his customers.

61. US Economic Growth in Q4 Revised Up to 2.9 Percent Rate - Thursday, March 29, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy grew at a solid 2.9 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, a sharp upward revision that caps three quarters of the fastest growth in more than a decade. The Trump administration is hoping the economy will accelerate further this year, aided by sizable tax cuts and increased government spending.

62. Survey of Business Economists Finds Growing Optimism - Tuesday, March 27, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Business economists are expressing optimism that tax cuts and increased government spending will accelerate economic growth over the next two years.

The latest survey by the National Association for Business Economics projects that the economy will grow 2.9 percent this year. That would be the best performance in three years, up from the NABE's forecast of three months ago, which envisioned 2.5 percent growth this year.

63. Plan to Expand Pre-K Would Leverage Private Funds - Friday, March 23, 2018

After voters defeated two ballot questions in two years for sales tax increases – city and county – to fund an expansion of prekindergarten classrooms primarily in Memphis, the effort is back with a momentum that seemed unlikely five years ago.

64. Fed Raises Key Rate, Foresees 2 More Hikes This Year - Thursday, March 22, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve is raising its key interest rate and signaling confidence in the U.S. economy's durability but plans to continue a gradual approach to rate hikes for 2018 under its new chairman, Jerome Powell.

65. Fed Set to Raise Rates As Powell Gives 1st News Conference - Tuesday, March 20, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve's first meeting under Jerome Powell's leadership will likely end Wednesday with an announcement that the Fed will resume its modest interest rate hikes.

66. WSJ: Fed Investigation Into Wells Fargo Broadens - Monday, March 19, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – A federal investigation into Wells Fargo has broadened to include its wealth-management division, according to a Wall Street Journal report Friday.

Wells Fargo is wrestling with the aftermath of a scandal in its retail banking unit in which, among other things, employees opened up millions of fake accounts without customer authorization.

67. Trump Picks Camera-Proven Kudlow as Top Economic Aide - Thursday, March 15, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has chosen Larry Kudlow to be his top economic aide, elevating the influence of a long-time fixture on the CNBC business news network who previously served in the Reagan administration and has emerged as a leading evangelist for tax cuts and a smaller government.

68. Triumph Adds Bankers, Expands Into Nashville - Tuesday, March 13, 2018

As its annual meeting approaches, Triumph Bank finds itself in a protracted growth spurt, with activity encompassing everything from a pickup in mortgage activity to the addition of new bankers and an expansion into Nashville.

69. US Hiring Surge Last Month Pulls in Flood of New Workers - Monday, March 12, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. employers went on a hiring binge in February, adding 313,000 jobs, amid rising business confidence lifted by the Trump administration's tax cuts and a resilient global economy.

70. Bank Executive Appointed To Federal Reserve Council - Saturday, March 10, 2018

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has appointed Commercial Bank and Trust vice chairman and CEO Mott Ford to its Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council for a three-year term ending in 2020.

71. Digest - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Memphis Grizzlies Suffer 15th Consecutive Loss

The Grizzlies lost their 15th straight game, 119-110 at Chicago, on Wednesday, March 7.

The team has not won since defeating the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum on Jan. 29.

72. US Consumer Borrowing Growth Slows to $13.9 Billion - Thursday, March 8, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – American consumers increased their borrowing at a slower pace in January, as the category that covers credit cards recorded the smallest increase in three years.

January's gain of $13.9 billion followed a $19.2 billion increase in December and a November surge of $30.9 billion, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday.

73. Survey: US Businesses Hire 235,000 New Workers in February - Thursday, March 8, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. companies added a healthy 235,000 jobs last month, led by solid gains in construction, hotels and restaurants, and education and health care, according to a private survey.

The report Wednesday on February hiring from payroll provider ADP comes after businesses added 244,000 people in January and 249,000 in December. Those gains should be enough to reduce the unemployment rate, currently a low 4.1 percent, over time.

74. Fed Numbers Show Local Lending Increase - Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Robert Shaw is among the Memphis banking executives looking forward to what the rest of 2018 will bring. He is CEO of Memphis-based Paragon Bank, which at the end of February announced record-breaking revenue and pre-tax income for the fourth quarter of 2017. The numbers were driven by solid loan growth, a healthy net interest margin and continued attention to controlling expenses.

75. Memphis Bank Executive Appointed to Federal Reserve Council - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has appointed Commercial Bank and Trust vice chairman and CEO Mott Ford to its Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council for a three-year term ending in 2020.

76. Senate Poised to Ease Dodd-Frank Rules for Most Banks - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ten years after a financial crisis rocked the nation's economy, the Senate is poised to pass legislation that would roll back some of the safeguards Congress put into place to prevent a relapse.

77. Waddell: Investment Gains Don’t Last Forever - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

David Waddell was upbeat during the 2017 version of the yearly “State of the Union” presentation he gives to clients of Waddell & Associates, but this year, not so much.

78. US Economic Growth Revised Down Slightly to 2.5 Pct. in Q4 - Thursday, March 1, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. economic growth was revised down slightly to a still-solid 2.5 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, as business spent less on investment and restocking shelves than the government had previously estimated.

79. Powell Says Outlook Strong, Signaling Gradual Rate Hikes - Wednesday, February 28, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told Congress Tuesday that the outlook for the U.S. economy "remains strong" despite the recent stock market turbulence, keeping the central bank on track to gradually raise interest rates.

80. Fed Officials: Stronger Economy Boosts Chance for Rate Hikes - Thursday, February 22, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve officials at their January meeting believed that a brightening global economic picture and the effects of recently passed tax cuts had raised the prospect for solid growth and continued interest rate increases.

81. US Bank Pays $613 Million Over Money Laundering Charges - Friday, February 16, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. Bancorp said Thursday it will pay $613 million in fines and penalties to settle allegations that the bank had poor anti-money laundering controls, which put the bank repeatedly at risk of being used as a conduit for criminals.

82. Is Inflation Rising as Investors Fear? 5 Ways to Keep Track - Wednesday, February 14, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — After nearly a decade of being all but invisible, inflation — or the fear of it — is back.

Tentative signs have emerged that prices could accelerate in coming months. Pay raises may be picking up a bit. Commodities such as oil and aluminum have grown more expensive. Cellphone plans are likely to appear costlier.

83. Even 'Safe' Bond Investments Falter as Markets Tumble - Monday, February 12, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – The stock market isn't the only thing dropping. Bonds, which are supposed to be the safe part of every investor's portfolio, have faltered, too.

In what's been a rude awakening for some investors, bond funds have lost ground these past couple of weeks, unlike in past downturns for stocks. What's different this time is that the same things undercutting stocks are hurting bond prices: worries about inflation and the possibility of much higher interest rates.

84. The Metrics Mayor - Saturday, February 10, 2018

At times in the last two years, political supporters of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland have been worried. They agree with what got him elected, his “brilliant at the basics” philosophy that makes basic services and fundamental play-it-safe financial strategies the priority at City Hall.

85. How the Market's Turmoil Could Affect Fed's Rate Decisions - Friday, February 9, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Wall Street has thrown a rather sour welcoming party for Jerome Powell.

86. GM Likely to Expand Subsidized Loans if Interest Rates Rise - Wednesday, February 7, 2018

DETROIT (AP) – If auto loan interest rates rise as expected this year, General Motors and others are likely to make more subsidized loans, including zero-percent financing, to keep car sales flowing.

87. Quits Rise at Fastest Pace in 17 Years, Signaling Higher Pay - Wednesday, February 7, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. companies posted the fewest open jobs in seven months in December, yet the number of Americans quitting their jobs rose to a 17-year high, a mixed reading on the job market.

88. US Economy Still Fundamentally Strong Despite Falling Stocks - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – A wave of fear about inflation and higher interest rates has sent stock prices tumbling and raised concerns about corporate profits. Yet the rush of anxiety has obscured a fundamental fact about the U.S. economy: It's healthy.

89. Powell Sworn In as 16th Chairman of Federal Reserve - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Jerome Powell was sworn in Monday as the 16th chairman of the Federal Reserve in a brief ceremony in the Fed's board room. In a video message, Powell pledged to support continued economic growth and a healthy job market while remaining "vigilant" to any emerging economic risks.

90. Last Word: Super Bowl From A Distance, More School Plans and DACA - Monday, February 5, 2018

Eagles over Patriots 41-33. Also at the Super Bowl – no Prince hologram in the JT halftime show but plenty of choreography and a nightclub beneath the stage … the NFL catch rule has its last hurrah – probably … Patriots-haters have the offseason to become Eagles-haters. And Philadelphia Police use hydraulic fluid to stop Eagles fans from climbing utility poles. Irony lives.

91. Yellen Lands New Job at Brookings Institution - Monday, February 5, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, the first woman to head the nation's central bank, got a boisterous send-off from Fed staff, but she isn't taking any time off. After her last day at the Fed on Friday, she will start a new job Monday at the Brookings Institution.

92. Federal Reserve Imposes New Penalties on Wells Fargo - Monday, February 5, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve is imposing more penalties on Wells Fargo, freezing the bank's growth until it can prove it has improved its internal controls. In addition, bank agreed to replace four board members.

93. Big Pay Gains for US Workers Contribute to Wall St. Sell-Off - Monday, February 5, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Pay raises, the U.S. economy's Achilles' heel in its long recovery from the Great Recession, finally showed signs of accelerating last month – a trend that fanned inflation fears and sent bond yields rising and stocks sinking.

94. 5 Things: What Yellen's Fed Tenure Will Be Remembered For - Friday, February 2, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – When Janet Yellen leaves the Federal Reserve this weekend after four years as chair, her legacy will include having shattered a social barrier: She is the first woman to have led the world's most powerful central bank, a position that carries enormous sway over the global economy.

95. Fed Leaves Key Rate Unchanged At Yellen's Final Meeting - Thursday, February 1, 2018

The Federal Reserve has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged but signaled that it expects to resume raising rates gradually to reflect a healthy job market and economy.

At Janet Yellen's final meeting as chair Wednesday, the Fed kept its key short-term rate in a still-low range of 1.25 percent to 1.5 percent. It said in a statement that it expects inflation to finally pick up this year and to stabilize around the Fed's target level of 2 percent. In its previous statement, the Fed had predicted that inflation would remain below its target rate.

96. Rotating Forrest Bust Out of Capitol Gains Momentum - Thursday, February 1, 2018

Confederate Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s days in the State Capitol could be numbered. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, says he could support a move to rotate Forrest’s bust out of the Capitol and make sure Capitol displays are “more reflective of the entire history of Tennessee.”

97. Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady at Yellen's Final Meeting - Tuesday, January 30, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Janet Yellen's final Federal Reserve policy meeting will likely bring an uneventful end this week to her four-year tenure as Fed chair but perhaps offer hints of the central bank's approach to interest rates in the months to follow.

98. US Economy Grew at Solid 2.6 Percent Rate in Fourth Quarter - Monday, January 29, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy grew at a solid rate of 2.6 percent in the final three months of last year, helped by the fastest consumer spending since the spring of 2016 and a big rebound in home construction.

99. Dunavant Awards Will Feature Hardy As Keynote - Friday, January 26, 2018

As a lifelong Memphian and successful entrepreneur, Carolyn Hardy is all about finding new ways to grow the city.

100. Powell Taking Over as Fed Chairman at Time of Economic Calm - Thursday, January 25, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – It would seem like a pretty good time to take over as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Jerome Powell has won Senate confirmation to head the U.S. central bank, inheriting an economy on a roll, a booming stock market and unemployment at a 17-year low.