John Ydstie

Complex U.S.-Saudi Relations Hinders Response To Khashoggi's Death

John Ydstie

The U.S. has been pressured to respond forcefully to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Members Of Congress urge sanctions against Saudi Arabia.

Job seekers line up at a technology fair in Los Angeles in March. Employers added more jobs than analysts expected last month, as the jobless rate remained at a nearly 50-year low of 3.7 percent.

U.S. Economy Added 250,000 Jobs In October; Unemployment Remains At 3.7 Percent

John Ydstie, Avie Schneider

Employers added more jobs than analysts expected, as the jobless rate remained at a nearly 50-year low. Friday's report gives voters a final glimpse of the economy before the midterm elections.

Is It Time For The Fed To Say Goodbye To The Phillips Curve Theory?

John Ydstie

The U.S. economy is in a sweet spot, with unemployment at a near 50-year low and an inflation rate that's low and stable. But that combination — low unemployment and low inflation — has economists at the Fed wondering if a theory they've had about how the economy works is still relevant.

Specialists Jay Woods (right) and Thomas McArdle work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. The market's recent decline was set off by a sharp drop in bond prices and a corresponding increase in yields last week and early this week.

U.S. Stocks Down Sharply Again After Wednesday's Rout

John Ydstie

U.S. stocks indexes headed lower again after a global sell-off overnight triggered by a plunge in U.S. stocks the day before.

A Look At Why Stocks Plunged On Wall Street

John Ydstie

Stocks plunged on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 800 points, about 3.1 percent. The Nasdaq composite was down more than 4 percent at the close.

U.S. Unemployment Hits Lowest Rate In Nearly 50 Years

John Ydstie

A jobs report released by the government on Friday showed unemployment falling to 3.7 percent — the lowest rate in nearly 50 years.

This map, a screenshot from <a href="http://www.opportunityatlas.org/">The Opportunity Atlas</a>, shows household income in 2014-2015 for people born between 1978 and 1983 to low-income parents. In areas that are more red, people who grew up in low-income households tended to stay low-income. In areas that are more blue, people who grew up in low-income households tended to make more money.

The American Dream Is Harder To Find In Some Neighborhoods

John Ydstie

A new data tool finds a strong correlation between where people grew up and their chances of climbing the economic ladder. Charlotte, N.C., hopes to use it to improve residents' economic mobility.

Big Questions Remain On Whether Canada Will Agree To Tentative Trade Deal

John Ydstie

President Trump is touting his trade agreement with Mexico, but big questions remain about how much the new rules will change the trade landscape.

Last year, the Trump administration unveiled its goals for renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, a deal that reshaped trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

U.S. And Mexico Reach Trade Deal; Trump Wants To Drop NAFTA Name

John Ydstie

The Trump administration has forged a tentative pact with Mexico on the North American Free Trade Agreement. The next step is to get Canada re-engaged in the talks.

Amir Peay recently opened a distillery in Lexington, Ky., at the site of the James E. Pepper distillery. About 10 percent of his revenues come from exports, and Peay worries that the European Union's tariffs will hurt his overseas business.

Caught In Tariff War, U.S. Distillers Fear Losing Out On Global Whiskey Boom

John Ydstie

Whiskey distillers in the U.S. are concerned EU tariffs will take a big bite out of sales. Many have expanded to meet growing demand and worry what will happen if trade frictions aren't resolved soon.