Economy
Resilient Economy Demonstrated by September’s Booming Job Gains
As we delve deeper into October, the recent employment data shines a spotlight on the remarkable resilience exhibited by the U.S. economy. The September jobs report, released by The Conference Board, has garnered significant attention, emphasizing a substantial addition of 254,000 jobs to the economy—the most significant surge since March. This impressive growth not only exceeds expectations but also highlights the underlying robustness of the labor market moving into the final quarter of 2024.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Initially, job growth from June to August seemed to be slowing, with monthly gains averaging 116,000. However, revisions have lifted this projection to an average of 140,000, before the substantial boost seen in September. As a result, the third quarter is closing with an average monthly payroll gain of 186,000. These upbeat figures underscore the idea that the Federal Reserve’s preemptive interest rate cut was well-timed, as risks that could slow the economy have yet to manifest.
Mitchell Barnes’ Expert Insight
Mitchell Barnes, an economist with The Conference Board, provides a detailed analysis of these trends. According to him, the robust job creation figures signal that the current economic landscape is more resilient than previously thought. “Despite potential headwinds, the labor market continues to thrive, supported by consistent income and spending growth,” Barnes notes. Such commentary from a seasoned economist offers reassurance that policymakers are equipped with data supporting the continuation of stable economic conditions.
Employment Landscape and Sector Shifts
The September report highlights notable growth within specific industries. Leisure and hospitality, healthcare, government, and construction have driven much of this year’s employment growth. These industries, previously hit hardest during the pandemic, are now successfully replenishing their workforce, underscoring a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels. Current job gains suggest near-full employment, with payrolls surpassing their February 2020 levels by around seven million.
Improved Job-finding Rates
Significantly, September showcases an improvement in job-finding rates as more than 300,000 workers who had been jobless for less than five weeks secured employment. This movement led to the unemployment rate dropping back to 4.1%, indicating an easing concern for a rapid rise in unemployment rates.
Moreover, the uptick in job openings to eight million, as seen in August’s JOLTS data, showcases growing demand, setting the stage for potential sustained growth moving forward.
Consumer Sentiment and Future Outlook
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Survey® suggests that while some present conditions have softened, they haven’t significantly deteriorated. However, the outlook remains positive with incumbent workers enjoying high real wages and considerable job security. Consequently, consumer spending remains robust, providing further momentum to the economy.
Mitchell Barnes anticipates that economic growth will revitalize as early as 2025, as the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies continue to foster a conducive environment for development post-election. His analysis suggests that despite prevailing uncertainties, the current economic trajectory lacks the extended softness that many feared.
Resisting the Slowdown Narrative
The narrative of an impending economic slowdown seems increasingly misplaced. The U.S. economy, armed with robust household finances and sustained business activity, is steering ahead confidently into 2025.
The Conference Board: Trusted Insight
As a global independent research association, The Conference Board continues to offer trusted insights into the economic landscape. With over a century of experience, it remains committed to exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for economies worldwide.
In conclusion, September’s employment report not only underscores the resilience of the U.S. labor market but also fortifies confidence as we look forward to what’s ahead. As the economy edges closer to 2025, the emphasis remains on maintaining this momentum through informed policymaking and strategic investments in human capital.
Read the press release: September’s Booming Job Gains Underscore US Economy’s Resilience
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Consumer Corner
Frustration at the Pump: Why Americans are Exploring Electric Vehicles
Exploring Electric Vehicles: For more than one-third of Americans, one simple number is leading them to research electric vehicles: the final tally at a recent gas station fill-up. The pump is no longer just the close of a sale; for a growing number of drivers, it’s where questions begin.
Frustration at the Pump: Why Americans are Exploring Electric Vehicles
(Feature Impact) For more than one-third of Americans, one simple number is leading them to research electric vehicles: the final tally at a recent gas station fill-up.
This, according to new research from Hyundai Motor America, isn’t a hypothetical situation. In fact, 23% of respondents reported it’s happened to them more than once. For nearly half of Americans, pulling up to the pump now brings frustration or outright dread.
Many drivers have a number in mind where the math begins shifting, and once the shift happens, it rarely goes away. The pump is no longer just the close of a sale; for a growing number of drivers, it’s where questions begin.
For 23% of those surveyed, $5 per gallon is where they would start considering alternatives to a gas-powered vehicle. While some say they wouldn’t consider alternatives based on gas costs at all, this meaningful share of Americans points toward a specific tipping point.
Some begin by comparing models or brands while others find themselves on an automaker’s website, further along in the process than they initially expected to be. Most don’t act on this impulse right away, but drivers are increasingly caught somewhere between curious and committed – and 46% of those surveyed said they’d be likely to seriously research an EV.
The desire to leave the pump behind, which an EV would allow for, is a deal nearly half of respondents said they would take. However, the transition isn’t frictionless as charging access and range anxiety remain the top concerns for 28% of potential buyers.
While the move toward electric vehicles is often framed as a long-term decision made with spreadsheets and financial planning, for many Americans, it’s beginning somewhere smaller: a routine fuel stop and an eye-opening receipt.
If you’ve found yourself dismayed at the pump, find more information on electric vehicles at HyundaiUSA.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Hyundai
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Automotive
Gas prices have a $5 tipping point: New research shows when Americans start looking at EVs
Gas prices have a $5 tipping point: New research shows when Americans start looking at EVs
(Tiffany Miller for Hyundai) There is a moment at the gas pump when the number staring back at you stops feeling routine.
You expect the total to land somewhere familiar. And then, one day, it doesn’t. Not dramatically higher. Just high enough to feel different. Enough to make you pause before tapping your card.
According to new research from Hyundai Motor America, that moment is not hypothetical. For more than a third of American drivers, it has already happened. And for many, once it does, something shifts that does not quite shift back.
For 42% of Americans, pulling up to a pump now brings frustration or outright dread. Most have made peace with the routine, even if 39% describe their gas spend as “frustrating but expected.”
The experience at the pump hasn’t changed. The emotional weight of it has.
Most drivers have a number in their head where the math shifts. For 23% of those surveyed, $5 per gallon is where they would seriously start considering alternatives to a gas-powered vehicle. Not everyone will be moved by price, and 29% say they would not consider alternatives based on gas costs at all. But for a meaningful share of Americans, the tipping point is specific. It is a number on a sign, and many have seen it before.
More than one-third of Americans surveyed say a recent fill-up has already prompted them to research electric vehicles, and 23% say it has happened more than once.
What comes next is rarely dramatic. Some compare models or brands. Some search online. Some find themselves on an automaker’s website, further along than they expected to be. Most do not act on this impulse right away. But for a growing number, the pump is where the question starts.
The shift is real but uneven. If gas prices rose significantly and stayed high, 46% of those surveyed say they would be likely to seriously research an EV. Yet most Americans are still somewhere between curious and committed.
The pitch for electric vehicles is simple. Never stop for gas again. Nearly half of Americans say they would absolutely take that deal.
The transition is not frictionless. Charging access and range anxiety remain the top concern for 28% of potential buyers, and simple comfort with the status quo runs just as deep.
The desire to leave the pump behind is real. So is everything standing in the way.
The move toward electric vehicles is often framed as a long-term decision made with spreadsheets and incentive calculators, but for many Americans, it begins somewhere smaller. A routine fuel stop. A number that lands differently. A moment of hesitation before the receipt prints.
Methodology
Hyundai Motor America commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,000 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between April 3 and April 6, 2026.
Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (woman at gas pump)
SOURCE:
Hyundai
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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Money Management: The Importance of Financial Literacy
You may have mastered the core subjects like math and grammar in school, but financial literacy – or understanding the basics of money management in order to help you make better financial decisions – often goes overlooked before adulthood. It’s not so much a course of study as it is a plan of action. When you understand how to earn, save, spend and invest wisely, you aren’t just building a stable future for yourself, but your family and community as well.
Last Updated on May 11, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) You may have mastered the core subjects like math and grammar in school, but financial literacy – or understanding the basics of money management in order to help you make better financial decisions – often goes overlooked before adulthood. It’s not so much a course of study as it is a plan of action.
Financial literacy in the United States has remained stagnant at generally low levels for several years, according to research from TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center, with even lower levels among Gen Z. Yet greater financial literacy – including key aspects such as goal-setting, budgeting, saving, credit management and investing – is strongly linked to better financial outcomes, including lower rates of debt constraint and financial fragility.
While emboldening yourself to understand financial terms can be a little overwhelming at first, once you have a grasp of basic concepts you can begin to get a handle on your money and make better financial decisions. Simply put: When you understand how to earn, save, spend and invest wisely, you aren’t just building a stable future for yourself, but your family and community as well.
From nonprofit partnerships to volunteer-led programs and fee online resources, Schwab and its employees help millions of people every year build the knowledge and confidence to take charge of their financial futures by serving as board members, mentors, role models and educators.
Because financial health is a lifelong journey, the earlier people learn vital money skills, the better. That’s why the financial advisory services provider develops education programs geared toward kids that continue into adulthood, helping people no matter where they are on their journeys.
Talk Money
It’s never too early to start a conversation about financial literacy. Having teens identify goals that are important to them – such as concert tickets or a first car – can kickstart coversations about money. Working with your child (and a financial advisor, if necessary) on a plan for saving to realize those goals can serve as a jumping off point. After achieving some success, their enthusiasm may grow, which is a powerful motivator to keep saving.
Support School Initiatives and Programs
Outreach programs that empower young people to make smart financial decisions is key to a bright future. Programs like Money Matters – Schwab’s flagship financial education program utilized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – gives young people hands-on experience with all aspects of money and investing.
This example, and others, don’t just include program funding – they build partnerships that create impact and opportunity with national collaborations that reach more than 17 million youth annually, empowering young people with the tools and confidence to make smart financial decisions for life.
Spread the Financial Love
Championing financial literacy empowers everyone – individuals, families and communities. By serving as a board member, mentor, role model or educator to help bring financial literacy to others in your community, you can supply the tools and knowledge to lead programs that focus on giving back, empowering future generations in countless ways.
To learn more about financial literacy and find resources to empower your local community, visit SchwabMoneywise.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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