Money

Small businesses grapple with persistent staff shortage

Published

2 years ago

November 3, 2023

Small businesses in the United States continue to grapple with the challenges posed by a tight labor market.

Despite various efforts to rebound from the pandemic, these enterprises are finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain employees. This labor shortage has led to higher wages, increased competition for talent, and operational hurdles that many small businesses are struggling to overcome.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses across the nation faced unprecedented challenges. Many had to close temporarily, leading to layoffs and furloughs.

As the economy reopens, these businesses are eager to rebuild, but they are encountering a significant roadblock: a shortage of available workers. The demand for labor has surged, but the supply has not kept pace, leaving small business owners in a tough spot.

With labor in short supply, small businesses are being forced to raise wages and offer more generous benefits packages to attract and retain workers.

While this may be good news for employees, it’s a challenge for business owners who are already dealing with rising costs.

Additionally, increased competition for talent has made it harder for small businesses to find the skilled workers they need, especially in sectors like hospitality and manufacturing.

Money

U.S. markets mixed as tech slumps and Fed moves spark uncertainty

Mixed US equity results as tech stocks drop; market uncertainty rises amid Fed Chair change. Join Steve Gopalan’s insights on FX trends.

Published

23 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Mixed US equity results as tech stocks drop; market uncertainty rises amid Fed Chair change. Join Steve Gopalan’s insights on FX trends.

US equity markets posted mixed results as technology stocks fell, reflecting growing concerns about AI disruptions. The delay of key labour data has added to market uncertainty, especially with President Trump’s recent appointment of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair.

Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX joins us to discuss how these shifts could influence monetary policy, corporate FX strategies, and the broader financial landscape.

We also dive into FX trends, euro-area inflation signals, and Australian dollar movements, exploring what these developments mean for investors worldwide.

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#USMarkets #TechStocks #FedPolicy #FXTrading #AIImpact #LabourMarket #CurrencyTrends #InvestingInsights

Money

Tech stocks and Bitcoin tumble amid market uncertainty and rising job concerns

Wall Street plummets as tech stocks and Bitcoin fall, raising concerns about job market and economic stability.

Published

23 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Wall Street plummets as tech stocks and Bitcoin fall, raising concerns about job market and economic stability.

Wall Street took a sharp hit Thursday as technology stocks and Bitcoin plunged, reigniting worries over the job market and global economic stability. Kyle Rodda from Capital.com breaks down how Alphabet and Qualcomm’s earnings may signal broader tech weakness.

Bitcoin’s recent drop also rattled crypto markets, with Coinbase shares falling sharply. Rodda explains how much of the decline is driven by market fundamentals versus shifting investor sentiment, and how rising AI expenditures are affecting investor confidence in tech.

The surge in unemployment claims, coupled with falling bond yields, is prompting concern over overall market stability.

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#WallStreetCrash #TechStocks #BitcoinDrop #MarketVolatility #JobMarket #InvestingTips #CryptoNews #Ticker

Money

S&P 500 dips as tech stocks struggle with AMD leading losses

S&P 500 declines as tech stocks sell off; AMD plummets, Microsoft stable, investors eye Alphabet’s upcoming earnings report.

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 declines as tech stocks sell off; AMD plummets, Microsoft stable, investors eye Alphabet’s upcoming earnings report.

The S&P 500 fell as technology stocks faced intense selling pressure, dragging the broader market lower. AMD shares were particularly hard hit, falling 17% after its first-quarter forecast disappointed analysts.

Software names including Oracle and CrowdStrike also struggled, although Microsoft found some stability amid the sell-off.

Investors are now focused on Alphabet, which is set to report earnings after the bell Wednesday.

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