Economics in the News – March 23-29, 2026
Economics impacts our lives every day. Below are some of the top storylines from this past week related to economics.
o March has been the worst month for the S&P 500 since last March, as the index has notched five consecutive losing weeks since the Iran war began. The S&P 500 is nearly nine percent off its record high in January, as rising oil prices since the beginning of the war have fueled inflationary concerns.
Stock prices in every sector of the economy, except energy, have declined since the start of the war that began at the end of February. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has indicated that the war’s impact on inflation would prevent it from lowering rates soon. [The New York Times]
o President Donald Trump will become the first sitting US president to have his signature on US currency, as the US Treasury Department has said the change is being made to honor America’s 250th anniversary. Changes to the design of US banknotes are at the discretion of the Treasury Secretary. The signatures on US currency traditionally change when new Treasury secretaries assume the job.
Former President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill in 1861 that allowed the Treasury secretary to assign the US Treasurer to sign Treasury bills and bonds. The treasurer and Treasury secretary have signed their names together since 1914, according to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. [The New York Times]
o Coffee prices are soaring and are unlikely to fall soon. Last year, the price of coffee beans rose at one of the fastest rates of all grocery items. Extreme weather, including droughts in coffee-producing countries such as Brazil and Vietnam, has impacted crops. Tariffs have also played a role, as President Donald Trump imposed a 40 percent tariff on Brazilian goods. As a result, coffee roasters had to pass the cost on to consumers.
Hedge funds held roughly one-third of coffee contracts before selling off in early 2026, after Brazilian experts forecast a banner year for coffee production. With the war in Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, hedge funds are once again purchasing coffee contracts. [The Wall Street Journal]
o The number of small businesses in the United States is reporting an increase in revenue reached its lowest level in a decade. Many were feeling the impact of a slowing economy before the recent spikes in oil and gas prices. According to AAA, diesel fuel costs an average of $5 per gallon, compared to $3.60 one year ago. Airline executives at the three major US airlines have said their fuel costs have climbed by $400 million in the first quarter. Small businesses have faced substantial uncertainty in recent years stemming from the pandemic, high inflation, rising interest rates, tariffs, and fears of a recession.
President Donald Trump’s administration continues to exude confidence in the American economy, but the Federal Reserve is taking a more cautious approach amid uncertainty regarding the war. [The Washington Post]
o March 26 marked Equal Pay Day – an annual day commemorating the progress women have made in closing the pay gap compared to men. However, while observing the progress, the gender pay gap has widened across the United States for the second consecutive year. Women working full-time jobs are making 81 cents for every dollar that men earn in the same position, according to the Census Bureau. That is less than the 83 cents per dollar last year, and 84 cents per dollar the year before.
It marks the first time since the 1960s that the gender pay gap has widened in two consecutive years. According to the Census Bureau, men’s median income grew at a 3.7 percent rate between 2023 and ’24, while the income for women did not. The wage gap has a tremendous impact on women’s lives, resulting in lower retirement benefits, smaller Social Security checks, while limiting their ability to provide for their children and grandchildren. [NPR]
