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THE BUSINESS DEPARTMENT

Business.
The longer view.

Companies, work, markets and the real economy.

Browse departments Business · 187 stories

“Read as of” includes versions published by the end of that day in America/Chicago. Later revisions stay outside that view.

Business

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31 stories · 12 retained editions

Archived reporting carries its original evidence limits. A recent publication date does not establish that conditions remain the same.

New Jersey and South Carolina added jobs; Wisconsin lost them in BLS’s September estimate

BLS’s October 20 release identifies significant monthly payroll gains of 14,900 in New Jersey and 12,500 in South Carolina, and a loss of 13,700 in Wisconsin. These preliminary workplace-job estimates do not count unique job seekers, guarantee openings or establish benefit eligibility.

U.S. BLS September 2026 state nonfarm payroll estimates, seasonally adjusted monthly changes from revised August. Table D selects statistically significant changes at the 90% confidence convention. September is preliminary. Workplace jobs are distinct from resident unemployment.

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  1. Oct 22, 2026, 7:00 AM · Revision 1New Jersey and South Carolina added jobs; Wisconsin lost them in BLS’s September estimate

Winnebago’s quarterly sales fell 17%; the company still reported a profit

Winnebago reported fiscal Q4 revenue of $645.1 million, down from $777.3 million, and net income of $9.7 million. Its October 21 release shows a sales decline, not a quarterly net loss. Production changes and future efficiency gains are company plans; these results do not establish a new layoff count, individual job loss or a recovery date.

Winnebago Industries fiscal Q4 and full year ended August 29, 2026, released October 21. SEC-filed issuer release and annual report; U.S. dollar measures. Radio Iowa original report retained as context and contrary framing, not independent proof of a new layoff decision.

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  1. Oct 22, 2026, 7:00 AM · Revision 1Winnebago’s quarterly sales fell 17%; the company still reported a profit

Median weekly pay rose 1.5%; prices rose 3.5%

The new BLS estimate shows full-time median gross weekly pay rising more slowly than consumer prices over the year to Q3 2026: 1.5% versus 3.5%. Median pay was $1,232 a week. This is a national survey benchmark, not a finding about your raise or take-home pay.

United States, third-quarter 2026 usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers; October 21 BLS release. Year-over-year comparisons are not seasonally adjusted. Gross main-job earnings, not take-home pay, a panel of identical workers, individual raises or a household inflation measure.

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  1. Oct 21, 2026, 3:43 PM · Revision 5Median weekly pay rose 1.5%; prices rose 3.5%

Median weekly pay rose 1.5%; prices rose 3.5%

The new BLS estimate shows full-time median gross weekly pay rising more slowly than consumer prices over the year to Q3 2026: 1.5% versus 3.5%. Median pay was $1,232 a week. This is a national survey benchmark, not a finding about your raise or take-home pay.

United States, third-quarter 2026 usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers; October 21 BLS release. Year-over-year comparisons are not seasonally adjusted. Gross main-job earnings, not take-home pay, a panel of identical workers, individual raises or a household inflation measure.

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  1. Oct 21, 2026, 1:32 PM · Revision 4Median weekly pay rose 1.5%; prices rose 3.5%

Northwoods broadband apprenticeship opens a training path; jobs and rollout remain to be proved

A newly reported partnership offers a one-year broadband apprenticeship combining employer training with Nicolet College courses. Applications are being taken this fall, with a spring 2027 start expected, WXPR reports. A training plan and a proposed fiber network do not establish a job offer, wage or connected household.

Nicolet College, Sokaogon Chippewa Community and Wisconsin’s Northwoods; WXPR original reporting carried by WPR October 20, 2026. Reported training partnership, fall applications and planned spring 2027 launch; no guaranteed job, wage, admission or completed broadband service.

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  1. Oct 21, 2026, 9:50 AM · Revision 3Northwoods broadband apprenticeship opens a training path; jobs and rollout remain to be proved

Median weekly pay rose 1.5%; prices rose 3.5%

The new BLS estimate shows full-time median gross weekly pay rising more slowly than consumer prices over the year to Q3 2026: 1.5% versus 3.5%. Median pay was $1,232 a week. This is a national survey benchmark, not a finding about your raise or take-home pay.

United States, third-quarter 2026 usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers; October 21 BLS release. Year-over-year comparisons are not seasonally adjusted. Gross main-job earnings, not take-home pay, a panel of identical workers, individual raises or a household inflation measure.

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  1. Oct 21, 2026, 9:50 AM · Revision 3Median weekly pay rose 1.5%; prices rose 3.5%

Northwoods broadband apprenticeship opens a training path; jobs and rollout remain to be proved

A newly reported partnership offers a one-year broadband apprenticeship combining employer training with Nicolet College courses. Applications are being taken this fall, with a spring 2027 start expected, WXPR reports. A training plan and a proposed fiber network do not establish a job offer, wage or connected household.

Nicolet College, Sokaogon Chippewa Community and Wisconsin’s Northwoods; WXPR original reporting carried by WPR October 20, 2026. Reported training partnership, fall applications and planned spring 2027 launch; no guaranteed job, wage, admission or completed broadband service.

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  1. Oct 21, 2026, 8:39 AM · Revision 2Northwoods broadband apprenticeship opens a training path; jobs and rollout remain to be proved

Northwoods broadband apprenticeship opens a training path; jobs and rollout remain to be proved

A newly reported partnership offers a one-year broadband apprenticeship combining employer training with Nicolet College courses. Applications are being taken this fall, with a spring 2027 start expected, WXPR reports. A training plan and a proposed fiber network do not establish a job offer, wage or connected household.

Nicolet College, Sokaogon Chippewa Community and Wisconsin’s Northwoods; WXPR original reporting carried by WPR October 20, 2026. Reported training partnership, fall applications and planned spring 2027 launch; no guaranteed job, wage, admission or completed broadband service.

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  1. Oct 21, 2026, 7:30 AM · Revision 1Northwoods broadband apprenticeship opens a training path; jobs and rollout remain to be proved

Builder confidence falls to 29; incentives do not guarantee a cheaper home

NAHB’s October survey puts new-home builder confidence at 29, down three points, with buyer traffic at 18. More builders report price cuts or incentives, but these survey results do not promise a discount or a lower mortgage payment for any particular buyer.

United States, October 2026 NAHB/Wells Fargo survey of single-family home builders, published October 19. Sentiment and builder-reported practices, not mortgage quotes, all-home prices, housing starts or a household savings estimate.

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  1. Oct 20, 2026, 2:22 PM · Revision 3Builder confidence falls to 29; incentives do not guarantee a cheaper home

EIA: hybrids reach 16% of new U.S. sales as battery cars fall to 6%

EIA’s new third-quarter analysis puts hybrids at 16% of U.S. new light-duty sales and battery-only vehicles at 6%. These are different technologies and shares of new sales. Car shoppers still need to compare actual models, offers and fuel or charging assumptions.

United States new light-duty vehicle sales in third-quarter 2025 and third-quarter 2026, newly analyzed by EIA October 19, 2026 using Omdia estimates. Shares of new sales, not the registered fleet, individual costs, all-electrified vehicles treated as identical, or a causal estimate of tax policy.

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  1. Oct 20, 2026, 2:22 PM · Revision 3EIA: hybrids reach 16% of new U.S. sales as battery cars fall to 6%

Builder confidence falls to 29; incentives do not guarantee a cheaper home

NAHB’s October survey puts new-home builder confidence at 29, down three points, with buyer traffic at 18. More builders report price cuts or incentives, but these survey results do not promise a discount or a lower mortgage payment for any particular buyer.

United States, October 2026 NAHB/Wells Fargo survey of single-family home builders, published October 19. Sentiment and builder-reported practices, not mortgage quotes, all-home prices, housing starts or a household savings estimate.

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  1. Oct 20, 2026, 10:21 AM · Revision 2Builder confidence falls to 29; incentives do not guarantee a cheaper home

Builder confidence falls to 29; incentives do not guarantee a cheaper home

NAHB’s October survey puts new-home builder confidence at 29, down three points, with buyer traffic at 18. More builders report price cuts or incentives, but these survey results do not promise a discount or a lower mortgage payment for any particular buyer.

United States, October 2026 NAHB/Wells Fargo survey of single-family home builders, published October 19. Sentiment and builder-reported practices, not mortgage quotes, all-home prices, housing starts or a household savings estimate.

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  1. Oct 20, 2026, 7:37 AM · Revision 1Builder confidence falls to 29; incentives do not guarantee a cheaper home

Minnesota food bank reports a record year as freight costs strain delivery

MPR News’s October 17 report says Second Harvest Heartland distributed more than 172 million pounds in fiscal 2026. Its supply-chain chief says rising diesel costs added $20,000 a month to expenses and forced sourcing changes. A larger food total does not establish that everyone’s need is met; residents can use the food bank’s finder to check nearby help.

Minnesota hunger-relief reporting published October 17, 2026 by MPR News. FY2026 food-bank distribution and attributed freight-budget pressure are different measures. No unique-person count, statewide hunger rate, independently audited finances or guaranteed local availability.

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  1. Oct 19, 2026, 8:16 AM · Revision 2Minnesota food bank reports a record year as freight costs strain delivery

Minnesota food bank reports a record year as freight costs strain delivery

MPR News’s October 17 report says Second Harvest Heartland distributed more than 172 million pounds in fiscal 2026. Its supply-chain chief says rising diesel costs added $20,000 a month to expenses and forced sourcing changes. A larger food total does not establish that everyone’s need is met; residents can use the food bank’s finder to check nearby help.

Minnesota hunger-relief reporting published October 17, 2026 by MPR News. FY2026 food-bank distribution and attributed freight-budget pressure are different measures. No unique-person count, statewide hunger rate, independently audited finances or guaranteed local availability.

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  1. Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 AM · Revision 1Minnesota food bank reports a record year as freight costs strain delivery

Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

EIA’s October 16 analysis shows large differences in estimated 2025 rooftop and other small-scale solar output: California generated 34,411 GWh, compared with 5,795 in Arizona, 5,408 in Texas and 5,198 in Florida. These are aggregate energy estimates, not a household savings forecast.

United States small-scale photovoltaic systems under 1 megawatt; EIA analysis published October 16, 2026, with selected state generation estimates for 2025. Not a household savings, output guarantee or incentive-eligibility calculation.

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  1. Oct 17, 2026, 4:20 PM · Revision 4Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

EIA’s October 16 analysis shows large differences in estimated 2025 rooftop and other small-scale solar output: California generated 34,411 GWh, compared with 5,795 in Arizona, 5,408 in Texas and 5,198 in Florida. These are aggregate energy estimates, not a household savings forecast.

United States small-scale photovoltaic systems under 1 megawatt; EIA analysis published October 16, 2026, with selected state generation estimates for 2025. Not a household savings, output guarantee or incentive-eligibility calculation.

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  1. Oct 17, 2026, 1:21 PM · Revision 3Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

EIA’s October 16 analysis shows large differences in estimated 2025 rooftop and other small-scale solar output: California generated 34,411 GWh, compared with 5,795 in Arizona, 5,408 in Texas and 5,198 in Florida. These are aggregate energy estimates, not a household savings forecast.

United States small-scale photovoltaic systems under 1 megawatt; EIA analysis published October 16, 2026, with selected state generation estimates for 2025. Not a household savings, output guarantee or incentive-eligibility calculation.

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  1. Oct 17, 2026, 9:38 AM · Revision 2Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

EIA’s October 16 analysis shows large differences in estimated 2025 rooftop and other small-scale solar output: California generated 34,411 GWh, compared with 5,795 in Arizona, 5,408 in Texas and 5,198 in Florida. These are aggregate energy estimates, not a household savings forecast.

United States small-scale photovoltaic systems under 1 megawatt; EIA analysis published October 16, 2026, with selected state generation estimates for 2025. Not a household savings, output guarantee or incentive-eligibility calculation.

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  1. Oct 17, 2026, 7:00 AM · Revision 1Rooftop solar’s growth is uneven—and its output is estimated

Import prices rose 1.1% in September, with fuel climbing faster

BLS reports import prices rose 1.1% in September: fuel increased 4.8% and nonfuel goods 0.7%. Export prices rose 2.2%. These trade-price measures do not tell a household how much its next bill will change.

United States import and export price indices for September 2026, published October 16. Monthly percent changes are not seasonally adjusted. Category rates are not contributions to the total, retail-price changes, import quantities or a household bill forecast.

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  1. Oct 16, 2026, 3:44 PM · Revision 4Import prices rose 1.1% in September, with fuel climbing faster

Import prices rose 1.1% in September, with fuel climbing faster

BLS reports import prices rose 1.1% in September: fuel increased 4.8% and nonfuel goods 0.7%. Export prices rose 2.2%. These trade-price measures do not tell a household how much its next bill will change.

United States import and export price indices for September 2026, published October 16. Monthly percent changes are not seasonally adjusted. Category rates are not contributions to the total, retail-price changes, import quantities or a household bill forecast.

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  1. Oct 16, 2026, 12:49 PM · Revision 3Import prices rose 1.1% in September, with fuel climbing faster

Three power grids set summer demand records. That does not measure your bill.

EIA’s October 15 analysis identifies record summer peaks for PJM, ERCOT and Southwest Power Pool. The figures measure regional power demand in particular hours. They do not establish a shortage, a reliability failure or how much any household will pay.

EIA’s October 15 analysis of balancing-authority Form EIA-930 data. Compare regional peak hourly load in gigawatts during summer 2026, not annual energy use, household bills, shortages or simultaneous national demand.

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  1. Oct 16, 2026, 10:00 AM · Revision 2Three power grids set summer demand records. That does not measure your bill.

Import prices rose 1.1% in September, with fuel climbing faster

BLS reports import prices rose 1.1% in September: fuel increased 4.8% and nonfuel goods 0.7%. Export prices rose 2.2%. These trade-price measures do not tell a household how much its next bill will change.

United States import and export price indices for September 2026, published October 16. Monthly percent changes are not seasonally adjusted. Category rates are not contributions to the total, retail-price changes, import quantities or a household bill forecast.

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  1. Oct 16, 2026, 10:00 AM · Revision 2Import prices rose 1.1% in September, with fuel climbing faster

Three power grids set summer demand records. That does not measure your bill.

EIA’s October 15 analysis identifies record summer peaks for PJM, ERCOT and Southwest Power Pool. The figures measure regional power demand in particular hours. They do not establish a shortage, a reliability failure or how much any household will pay.

EIA’s October 15 analysis of balancing-authority Form EIA-930 data. Compare regional peak hourly load in gigawatts during summer 2026, not annual energy use, household bills, shortages or simultaneous national demand.

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  1. Oct 16, 2026, 7:00 AM · Revision 1Three power grids set summer demand records. That does not measure your bill.

Producer prices jumped 1.3% in September as energy surged

U.S. final-demand producer prices rose 1.3% in September, BLS reported today. Goods rose 2.6% and services 0.8%; energy accounted for more than 80% of the goods increase. The report measures producers’ selling prices, so it does not mean household bills rose by the same amount.

BLS September 2026 PPI, released October 15. Monthly changes are seasonally adjusted; annual changes are unadjusted. Prices received by domestic producers are a different measure from household prices paid, and this record does not forecast a particular bill.

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  1. Oct 15, 2026, 3:42 PM · Revision 2Producer prices jumped 1.3% in September as energy surged

Producer prices jumped 1.3% in September as energy surged

U.S. final-demand producer prices rose 1.3% in September, BLS reported today. Goods rose 2.6% and services 0.8%; energy accounted for more than 80% of the goods increase. The report measures producers’ selling prices, so it does not mean household bills rose by the same amount.

BLS September 2026 PPI, released October 15. Monthly changes are seasonally adjusted; annual changes are unadjusted. Prices received by domestic producers are a different measure from household prices paid, and this record does not forecast a particular bill.

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  1. Oct 15, 2026, 9:49 AM · Revision 1Producer prices jumped 1.3% in September as energy surged

JPMorgan’s $15.8 billion profit figure leaves out a securities loss

JPMorgan reported $15.3 billion in third-quarter net income on October 13. Its $15.8 billion adjusted figure excludes $498 million in after-tax investment securities losses. Both numbers describe the same quarter under different treatments.

JPMorgan’s October 13 third-quarter 2026 earnings release, company-reported financial results. Adjusted profit is a non-GAAP measure; these results do not establish household finances, market expectations or an investment recommendation.

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  1. Oct 14, 2026, 11:32 AM · Revision 4JPMorgan’s $15.8 billion profit figure leaves out a securities loss

Prices outran pay in September. Gasoline led the jump.

Today’s BLS releases show consumer prices rose 0.6% in September while average hourly pay rose 0.1%. After inflation, average hourly earnings for private nonfarm payroll employees fell 0.5%. Gasoline supplied more than half the monthly price rise; groceries edged down.

United States CPI-U, September 2026, October 14 release vintage. Monthly figures below are seasonally adjusted; twelve-month figures are unadjusted. National category indexes do not measure any particular household’s bill. Real earnings refer to all employees on private nonfarm payrolls, not every worker or the same people tracked through time.

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  1. Oct 14, 2026, 11:32 AM · Revision 4Prices outran pay in September. Gasoline led the jump.

JPMorgan’s $15.8 billion profit figure leaves out a securities loss

JPMorgan reported $15.3 billion in third-quarter net income on October 13. Its $15.8 billion adjusted figure excludes $498 million in after-tax investment securities losses. Both numbers describe the same quarter under different treatments.

JPMorgan’s October 13 third-quarter 2026 earnings release, company-reported financial results. Adjusted profit is a non-GAAP measure; these results do not establish household finances, market expectations or an investment recommendation.

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  1. Oct 14, 2026, 11:25 AM · Revision 3JPMorgan’s $15.8 billion profit figure leaves out a securities loss

Pay rose slightly. September’s prices rose faster.

BLS’s two releases today show average hourly pay rose 0.1% in September while consumer prices rose 0.6%. Inflation-adjusted average hourly earnings fell 0.5%. Gasoline drove more than half of the monthly price rise; groceries edged down.

United States, September 2026 releases issued October 14. CPI-U measures consumer prices; real earnings concern average hourly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls, adjusted with CPI-U. Monthly changes are seasonally adjusted. These are national averages, not a household budget or an individual pay change.

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  1. Oct 14, 2026, 11:25 AM · Revision 3Pay rose slightly. September’s prices rose faster.

JPMorgan’s $15.8 billion profit figure leaves out a securities loss

JPMorgan reported $15.3 billion in third-quarter net income on October 13. Its $15.8 billion adjusted figure excludes $498 million in after-tax investment securities losses. Both numbers describe the same quarter under different treatments.

JPMorgan’s October 13 third-quarter 2026 earnings release, company-reported financial results. Adjusted profit is a non-GAAP measure; these results do not establish household finances, market expectations or an investment recommendation.

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  1. Oct 14, 2026, 7:59 AM · Revision 2JPMorgan’s $15.8 billion profit figure leaves out a securities loss

Gasoline drove September’s price jump. Groceries edged down.

Today’s BLS report shows consumer prices rose 0.6% in September and 3.7% over twelve months. A 9.1% monthly gasoline increase accounted for more than half of the monthly rise. Grocery prices edged down 0.1%.

United States CPI-U, September 2026, October 14 release vintage. Monthly figures below are seasonally adjusted; twelve-month figures are unadjusted. National category indexes do not measure any particular household’s bill.

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  1. Oct 14, 2026, 7:59 AM · Revision 2Gasoline drove September’s price jump. Groceries edged down.