Vehicle sales crash in April, analysts say, dropping by half

May 1, 2020
Pickup truck sales are holding up better than some other vehicles, spurred by incentives like zero-percent financing deals.
A line of Ford F-150 trucks. Dealer incentives tend to work well with truck buyers.
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Rent strike activists seek relief during COVID-19 pandemic

May 1, 2020
Organizers say without more protections, renters face debt or lost housing once eviction bans are lifted. Landlords say they need protections, too.
A demonstrator in Chicago on Thursday calls for rent and mortgage payments to be suspended to help those who have lost their income due to the coronavirus.
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Pandemic positions some companies to do better than others

Apr 30, 2020
There are business winners and losers in this pandemic.
Companies that sell shelf-stable foods have benefited during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

State and local governments pinched as pandemic hits tax revenue

Apr 30, 2020
Many will be forced to tap rainy-day funds or turn to the bond market to make ends meet.
Union Station in Los Angeles. States and municipalities may turn to the bond market to support transportation systems and other facilities.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Labor force participation rate signals massive job loss

Apr 30, 2020
With first-time jobless claims topping 30 million since mid-March, the Labor Department's April unemployment rate may under-count job loss.
A city worker hands out applications for unemployment benefits at a drive-through center.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

During lockdown, why dress up?

Apr 30, 2020
Sales at clothing retailers dropped by 50% in March.
Loungewear will do just fine while you're working at home.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Universal, movie theaters fighting over digital releases

Apr 30, 2020
Universal's latest "Trolls" movie was a digital hit. The studio says it could release films online and in theaters once the pandemic fades.
Will movie theatres see the same rebound after quarantine as they did after the Great Depression?
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

SBA temporarily shuts out big banks and businesses from Paycheck Protection Program

For eight hours, only smaller banks were able to process applications.
How can regulators make sure small businesses are the ones getting this money?
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Elon Musk and Tesla report a profit for the first quarter, despite COVID-19

Apr 30, 2020
It's the automaker's third profitable quarter in a row.
Musk told investors Wednesday that the company is "pedal to the metal" on expansion right now.
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