Lastest Stories by Alexander E.M. Hess

courtesy of Alex Proimos, via Wikimedia CommonsWhen it comes to companies we dread dealing with, we all know who they are. Let’s put it this way, would you rather go to the Apple Genius Bar to fix...
Wikimedia CommonsWhich companies do Americans enjoy dealing with the most? Truth is, many of the names that top this annual list of best companies for customer service will not surprise you —...
Despite flattening nationally, wages posted strong growth in some metro areas. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the metro areas where wages are soaring.
Average student debt levels have skyrocketed in recent years, reaching nearly $30,000 in 2012 from $18,650 in 2004. With debt levels swelling, President Barack Obama has recently addressed the issue,...
ThinkstockIn recent years, Americans have increasingly moved away from beer consumption in favor of wines and spirits. U.S. beer consumption fell slightly from 28.3 gallons per drinking-aged adult in...
ThinkstockFor decades, the United States has been a centerpiece of the global economy. Even in the aftermath of the Great Recession, foreign businesses have looked to the U.S. for investment...
ThinkstockLate last year, the federal government allowed its emergency unemployment compensation benefits program to expire. This decision has left much of the nation’s long-term unemployed without...
ThinkstockThe American auto industry nearly collapsed during the recession as car sales plummeted and companies struggled to stay afloat. Since then, U.S. car and light truck sales have steadily...
The United States economy grew 1.9% in 2013, down from the 2.8% growth rate in 2012. GDP growth of all but two states was positive last year, although economic growth at the state level varied...
The United States economy grew 1.9% in 2013, down from the 2.8% growth rate in 2012, as growth in the world’s largest economy remained inconsistent. The largest contributors to the national economy...
ThinkstockEven as home-flipping activity has generally declined in the past year, it continues to be quite widespread in parts of the country. In some counties, home flippers still buy large numbers...
courtesy of The Coca-Cola CompanySuccessful companies frequently depend on just one product for a large share of their sales. That’s true for some of the most iconic brands, including Coca-Cola,...
ThinkstockWith the stock market reaching new heights daily, companies’ profit margins at multi-decade highs, and falling unemployment, many Americans may be wondering when they will start to see...
ThinkstockThe percentage of American workers in unions remained effectively unchanged last year. This marks a departure from the nation’s long-term trend. In the past 30 years, union membership...