BusinessExplainer
Why lower inflation doesn’t mean lower prices
A practical guide to price levels, monthly changes, and the numbers behind an American inflation headline.
Business.
Follow the money.
From your grocery bill to the global economy. Make sense of the numbers.
A wider view
Economic data matters because it affects prices, jobs, savings and the choices households make. Our source index follows business news and central bank announcements; our explainers unpack terms such as inflation and purchasing power. Educational context here is general information, not personalized financial advice.
Latest in Business
47 stories in this edition'My mortgage is going up £200 a month': How rising interest rates are hitting people's pockets
With UK interest rates set to rise, mortgages, credit cards and loans could get more expensive for millions.
Why smoky bacon crisps threaten to reignite rows over EU rules
A post-Brexit deal on food standards has raised questions over the future naming of the classic British snack.
Food bank to close amid rising costs
A food bank in Goole annouces it will close in January as costs rise and donations drop.
Winter support for residents facing cost pressures
The plans aim to help more people access food, financial advice and help with heating costs.
PM tells firms to publish salaries in job adverts ahead of new law
The government argues the change will help jobseekers and could help to prevent pay discrimination.
Workers' rights 'second place' to economic growth
Jersey's Economic Development Minister has told the BBC that workers' rights may have to take 'second place' to economic growth.
'I've taken an extra job to pay for heating oil'
People in Sussex say they are taking on extra work and not heating their homes due to oil prices.
How does it affect me if share prices fall?
Changes in the FTSE 100 and other indexes are not just for financial experts, they can affect our lives.
The engine parts that 'fight the laws of the universe'
Investment has surged into the making of jet turbine blades - an extremely difficult component to make.
'I was asked if I was a crier': Your worst job interviews revealed
Bad job interviews can be horrible to experience in the moment, but there is a lot they can teach us about the world of work
Interest rates hiked to 4% in first increase in over three years
Most analysts expected the increase from 3.75% to 4%.
Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement action with Allegiant United Holdings, LLC, Nano Financial Holdings, Inc., and Nano Banc
Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement action with Allegiant United Holdings, LLC, Nano Financial Holdings, Inc., and Nano Banc
Drunk and dangerous e-bike riders face on-the-spot fines under crackdown
A consultation will consider fines and other ways to clamp down on dangerous e-bike riders.
What does the raise in interest rates mean?
The BBC's cost of living correspondent Kevin Peachey explains what the change could mean for those saving for a holiday or to buying a house.
Faisal Islam: How high will interest rates go?
The BBC's economics editor views one more interest rate as likely, but thinks that will be all.
Three ways the interest rate rise could affect you
Job, loans and savings are all affected by the rise in interest rates announced by the Bank of England.
Welsh aviation firm AerFin bought in £475m deal
The company, which was majority owned by a private equity firm, said it was beginning a "new chapter".
Second buyer makes rescue bid for Poundland as retailer faces collapse
A little-known investment group has made a bid to buy the business.
Poundland owner in crunch talks as retailer's collapse looms
Gordon Brothers will meet Jonathan Reynolds on Wednesday as the investment firm faces scrutiny over Poundland.
Pound rises to its highest level since the Brexit referendum
Pound reaches highest level against a basket of currencies since the Brexit referendum a decade ago.
Australia's oldest department store David Jones folds after 188 years
The brand's 38 physical stores and online site will continue to operate while receivers review its operations.
Elon Musk's millions failed to deliver Republican wins in fierce midterms
Musk spent nearly $500m in the 2026 US midterm elections, an individual election spending record.
Kellogg's admits snap, crackle and pop is quieter after uproar over Rice Krispies recipe change
The cereal giant has changed the recipes for Rice Krispies and Coco Pops, sparking a backlash online.
Canva announces major job cuts after 'our hardest year yet'
CEO Melanie Perkins says more than 1,000 staff will either lose their jobs or be asked to change roles.
Graduates are managing AI - but are they learning much else?
Graduates are spending more time managing AI, but are they missing out on other work experience?
UK and EU agree draft deal to scrap Brexit red tape over food exports
The food deal, ahead of a UK-EU summit later this month, is the most significant part of the so-called Brexit reset agreed so far.
Binance says fake job interviews used as part of $6.3bn crypto hack
An engineer was contacted through a legitimate job-hunting platform and invited to bogus job interviews with fake company representatives, Binance says.
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by The Bank of Nova Scotia
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by The Bank of Nova Scotia
Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement actions with Gardner Bancshares, Inc. and Small Business Bank
Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement actions with Gardner Bancshares, Inc. and Small Business Bank
Minutes of the Board's discount rate meetings on August 17, September 9, and September 16, 2026
Minutes of the Board's discount rate meetings on August 17, September 9, and September 16, 2026
Federal Reserve Board releases results of the 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances, which provides the public and policymakers with detailed insights into the economic condition of American families
Federal Reserve Board releases results of the 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances, which provides the public and policymakers with detailed insights into the economic condition of American families
Federal Reserve Board announces enforcement action against American Express Company to address, among other things, the firm’s failure to sufficiently detect and report certain suspicious activity related to money laundering
Federal Reserve Board announces enforcement action against American Express Company to address, among other things, the firm’s failure to sufficiently detect and report certain suspicious activity related to money laundering
Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, September 15-16, 2026
Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, September 15-16, 2026
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Isabella Bank Corporation
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Isabella Bank Corporation
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Fleur Capital Corporation
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Fleur Capital Corporation
Federal Reserve Board announces it will extend, until November 4, the comment period on its proposal to modernize Regulation O
Federal Reserve Board announces it will extend, until November 4, the comment period on its proposal to modernize Regulation O
Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with Ontario Bancorporation, Inc.
Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with Ontario Bancorporation, Inc.
Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements
Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements
Agencies publish resolution plan feedback letters for 15 banking organizations
Agencies publish resolution plan feedback letters for 15 banking organizations
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Peoples Bancorp Inc.
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Peoples Bancorp Inc.
Federal Reserve Board requests public comment on two proposals related to establishing a regulatory framework for Board-supervised payment stablecoin issuers under the GENIUS Act
Federal Reserve Board requests public comment on two proposals related to establishing a regulatory framework for Board-supervised payment stablecoin issuers under the GENIUS Act
Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with former employee of Sandy Spring Bank
Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with former employee of Sandy Spring Bank
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by BancFirst Corporation
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by BancFirst Corporation
Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement actions with former employee of Northstar Bank, former employee of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., and former employee of Regions Bank
Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement actions with former employee of Northstar Bank, former employee of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., and former employee of Regions Bank
Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement action with SNB Bancshares and Bank of Eufaula
Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement action with SNB Bancshares and Bank of Eufaula