The United States is home to more than 33 million businesses, the vast majority of which are small businesses, with millions being created (and others closing shop) every year. These businesses often rely on loans, provide the goods and services that keep the economy flowing, and sometimes even grow large enough to enter public markets or provide private investment opportunities. Explore key topics central to business and finance, from the role of the Federal Reserve to how initial public offerings work, how millions of American students finance higher education, and more.
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
Although the Fed Chair and the six other Governors of the Board are appointed by the US president and approved by Congress, the Fed is not funded by congressional appropriation, and its board members are appointed to lengthy 14-year terms.
However, it is far less common than other bills. Usage of the $2 bill has been in decline for decades, but the US Treasury hasn’t retired the bill yet. A podcast episode from the Fed’s educational program explains why the Treasury doesn’t print new $2 bills every year, and why they're still considered legal tender.
Startups raise money in different rounds from investors that include their friends and family, angels, and venture capital funds. These types of investors serve different purposes.
In the 1930s, the US was in crisis, and the government turned to photography to win public support. Images of rural poverty stirred empathy, shifting public opinion and helping pave the way for New Deal reforms.
That number (from 2024 and inclusive of signing bonuses) is higher than the average for all MBA grads in the US who secured jobs within three months after graduation (about $121,324), which signifies the impact of programs on MBA ROI. This list includes ROI for 30 different business school programs.
To save money in the colder months, some experts recommend washing your clothes in cold water, using your dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand, and more. This article lists even more winter money-saving tips.
As of 2024, China, Japan, and the United States held the top three spots in terms of the value of their respective central bank reserves.
Family offices are impacting capital markets as private wealth grows. Compared to other financial entities, they have a relatively high allocation to alternatives.
Specifically, annuities are contracts between an individual and an insurance company that require the insurance company to make regular payments to the individual.
This podcast tells how "Magic: The Gathering" faced its own speculative bubble as rare cards surged in resale value—risking a Beanie Baby-style crash. It follows how the game’s creators tried to engineer a system to keep a collectibles market from collapsing.