Private-equity firms have been buying up individual physician practices at a rapidly increasing rate over the past decade and raising prices for millions of Americans, according to a study released this week. The rise in acquisitions by investor groups of market share in the health care industry are leading to higher treatment costs, the study showed. When private…
Private-Equity Firms Are Buying Out Medical Practices and Raising Prices for Americans: Study
Small-Business Optimism Rises, but Inflation Concerns Remain Persistent
American small-business confidence slightly climbed to a seven-month high last month, but concerns about inflation remain persistent, according to a recent report. Pessimism over the U.S. economy diminished sharply, while sales expectations improved, but a persistently tight labor market is continuing to concern analysts about future inflation rates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)…
Dollar Near 15-month Low as Easing US Inflation Fuels Rate Peak Bets
LONDON/SINGAPORE—The dollar hovered near a 15-month low on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly decline since November after softening U.S. inflation data fuelled investors’ bets that the Federal Reserve was close to the end of its rate hike cycle. U.S. producer prices barely rose in June and the annual increase in producer inflation…
Brent Oil Hovers Above $81 After Supply Disruptions
LONDON—Global benchmark Brent crude hovered above $81 a barrel on Friday, with bullish sentiment over U.S. demand bolstered by supply disruption in Libya and Nigeria. Both the Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contracts had risen for three straight sessions and in early Asian trade on Friday, poised to register a third straight week…
World Stocks Hit New 2023 Highs After Rally on Inflation Data
LONDON—World stocks extended their gains on Friday, on track for their biggest weekly rise this year, while the dollar held near 15-month lows as investors bet that the U.S. Federal Reserve was nearing the end of its rate-hiking cycle. Data on Wednesday showed U.S. consumer prices growing at their slowest pace in more than two…
Home Prices Hit Record High As Housing Supply Shortage Worsens
Home prices hit a record high again in May, amid a worsening supply shortage in the housing market. The sharp jump in mortgage interest rates in last year caused an overheated housing market to slow down, but the slump did not last long. The cost for a home, which has been rising since the start…
Yellen Traveling to India for G20 Summit, Vietnam for Bilateral Talks
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will visit India this week to meet with finance ministers of the Group of 20 (G20) nations before continuing on to Vietnam for bilateral talks, the Treasury Department said on Thursday. Ms. Yellen will travel to Gandhinagar, India, from July 13 to 21 to participate in the G20 meetings of finance…
Australian States Reach Agreement on Caged Eggs Ban, Sparking Price Hike Concerns
Caged eggs will be banned in Australia as part of a national agreement to improve animal welfare in the poultry industry. While animal advocacy groups have welcomed the news, there are concerns that the new agreement will put eggs out of the reach of consumers. During a meeting on July 13, state agriculture ministers endorsed…
Climate Change, The Voice Loses Public Support As Cost of Living Problems Bite: Poll
Australians are pessimistic about the future of the country as ongoing cost of living pressures continue to bite. SEC Newgate, the country’s largest strategic communications firm, released the findings of a survey of 2,207 Australians from Jun 23-28, which also found issues like climate change and The Voice lose public interest. The company found that…
Budget Deficit Increases 156 Percent as Expenditures Soar, Revenues Shrink
The U.S. federal deficit surged 156 percent in the year through June as expenditures jumped while revenues continued to weaken, according to the Department of the Treasury. The latest monthly Treasury statement (pdf), released on July 13, shows that the government posted a $228 billion budget deficit in June, up sharply compared to a budget…
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