They’re also keeping a close eye on whether Americans’ glum outlook on the economy begins changing the ways they spend and save. Inflation has come down significantly from a post-pandemic peak of 9 percent, but escalating costs continue to dominate worries about the economy. Still, one thing they can agree on is that the fate of the economy hinges largely on what happens next in the labor market. Firms have invested billions in data centers and new technology, in hopes that AI will revolutionize the economy. S&P Global analysts expect consumer spending growth to cool slightly next year.

Source: Washington Post December 25, 2025 16:38 UTC