Business

Paul Atkins, CEO of Patomak Global Partners and an expert figure in financial regulation, has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The announcement, made via a post on Truth Social, signals a significant shift in regulatory priorities, particularly towards a more cryptocurrency-friendly environment. If confirmed, Atkins will succeed Gary Gensler, whose tenure has been marked by aggressive actions in the cryptocurrency market. Gensler's policies have drawn harsh criticism from the digital assets industry, with many stakeholders accusing him of stifling innovation. Trump's appointment of Atkins reflects the administration's commitment to easing restrictions…

JetBlue Airways is making significant changes to its flight operations as part of a strategy to streamline costs and increase profitability. The airline told staff on Wednesday that it will cut several unprofitable routes, redeploy planes equipped with its premium Mint business class and streamline its services in Europe. One of the most notable changes is the decision to stop using Mint-class planes on routes to Seattle starting in April. Additionally, the airline will cease flights from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to cities such as Austin, Houston, Miami and Milwaukee, as…

Frontier Airlines, one of the world's leading low-cost airlines, is poised to introduce first-class seating as part of a strategic shift aimed at attracting customers seeking greater comfort and personal space. The move reflects growing competition in the airline industry to satisfy passengers willing to pay for premium experiences. Starting in September, Frontier plans to overhaul the cabin layout by replacing the first two rows of the standard three-by-three economy seating configuration with four first-class seats arranged in a spacious two-by-two arrangement. The Denver-based airline is also enhancing its loyalty program to incentivize frequent flyers, offering free seat upgrades for…

The U.S. job market showed mixed signals in October, as job postings increased while hiring fell, according to data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The report, part of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), revealed a complex picture of the jobs landscape during a month in which overall job growth hit its lowest point in nearly four years. Employers reported 7.74 million job postings in October, an increase of 372,000 from September and beating estimates by 7.5 million. This increased the job vacancy rate to 4.6%, up from 4.4% the previous month. Despite the…

A red hat reading “Keep America Great” perched on a Christmas tree during a rally in Michigan in December 2019 symbolized the intersection of politics and culture in the United States. Four years later, the 2024 presidential election has once again drawn a sharp line across consumer sentiment, reflecting the confidence – or concerns – of voters as the holiday shopping season begins. Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, is taking on a new tone this year as political divisions creep into consumer behavior. CNBC spoke to shoppers across the country, including Texas, Michigan, New Jersey,…

Scott Bessent, founder and CEO of Key Square Group LP, has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump for the crucial role of Treasury secretary. The news has already sparked optimism in financial markets, with stock futures rising and Treasury yields falling early Monday. This reaction followed Friday's announcement that Trump intended to name Bessent, a seasoned Wall Street figure, as his administration's top economic policymaker. The appointment sends a clear signal of Trump's commitment to putting someone with extensive market experience and a shared economic philosophy at the helm of the Treasury Department. Analysts widely praised the decision, noting that…

US-China economic relations are facing new uncertainties after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. The announcement, made on its social media platform Truth Social, signals a significant escalation in trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Trump's statement came shortly after he revealed his intention to enact a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada as one of his first executive actions on Jan. 20, the day he took office. This move is expected to effectively dismantle the existing regional free trade agreement between the three nations. Trump…

Databricks, one of the world's most valuable private technology companies, is raising billions of dollars in new funding as it chooses to delay its long-awaited public offering, sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. The San Francisco-based company is reportedly securing at least $5 billion in its latest funding round, with the potential to raise as much as $8 billion as discussions progress. This new round would push Databricks' valuation to $55 billion, making it one of the most valuable private technology companies globally. The funding round, according to insiders, is partly designed to allow employees to sell shares, easing…

President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday his plan to nominate Scott Bessent, founder and CEO of Key Square Group LP, as Treasury secretary. The move places a seasoned hedge fund executive and Trump ally in a key role within the new administration's economic strategy. Bessent's appointment highlights Trump's focus on appointing market-savvy figures to guide the country's economic policy. Bessent, 62, has emerged as a strong contender for the position alongside names such as former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh and private equity executive Marc Rowan. Known as a Wall Street heavyweight, Bessent brings decades of financial experience to the table…

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House in January, a potential clash with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell looms on the horizon, largely dependent on evolving economic conditions. If inflation rises and the economy overheats, the Fed may feel forced to slow the pace of interest rate cuts or even keep them stable. Such a move could put Powell on a collision course with Trump, who has historically criticized the Fed for not easing monetary policy quickly enough. This potential tension is not new. Powell, appointed Fed chair by Trump in 2018, often found himself at…