Business news is a genre of news reporting that covers the activities of companies, business organizations, and people in the worlds of commerce, finance, and trade. It can include information about mergers and acquisitions, company earnings reports, new product launches, market trends, employment changes, regulatory developments, and the stock markets in general. Business news is often published in newspapers and magazines, both in print and online, and it may also be available through industry publications or trade journals that focus on particular aspects of the world of business.
In the broadest sense, a business is any activity or enterprise entered into for profit. The word is derived from the Latin phrase “busi esse,” meaning “to be busy.” Businesses can be for-profit or not-for-profit and may be private or public. A business can sell goods or services or both and may produce its own products or purchase them from other companies for resale. Some businesses may even provide financial services, such as banking, insurance, and investment management.
A number of business-related events have made headlines in recent months, including the bankruptcy of retailer Toys ‘R Us, the closure of several big box stores, and rising prescription drug costs. Retailers have been trying to combat these issues by increasing discounts and offering more in-store coupons. Meanwhile, the economy is continuing to expand at a moderate pace, and unemployment remains low. Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the economy, is up.
As a result, companies have been raising capital through initial public offerings (IPOs) and borrowing money to fund expansion plans. This has led to an increase in the number of companies listed on the stock exchanges.
The current economic situation has prompted some investors to become more cautious. Consequently, many large companies have sponsored news channel anchors to encourage retail investors not to panic and offload shares so quickly. However, some analysts believe the current slowdown is temporary and that the overall economy will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.
Despite these concerns, the stock market has continued to rise over the past several years. This is partly due to a strong global economy, increasing consumer spending, and the growing popularity of electric vehicles.
The Library of Congress has a collection of print and microform business news sources, including newspapers, magazines, and trade journals. The Business Reference Services staff can help you identify resources by subject and location. In addition, the Ask-a-Librarian service can connect you with a librarian who can answer questions about how to find and use business news resources. The Library’s catalog can also be searched from any location, although you may need to adopt more specific search strategies when searching for business-related articles in some international newspapers and other resources.
