(Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post)

Study: Safety-net programs have put a dent in poverty rate

Researchers say unemployment aid and food stamps helped reduce the share of Americans who are poor.

Tech companies unite to call for new limits on surveillance

The firms, including Microsoft, Google and Facebook, say there is an “urgent need” for reform.

Why are minorities saving so little for retirement?

New report finds they gain the least from retirement tax policy, and stand to lose the most if benefits are cut

Thomas Heath

Thomas Heath

Value Added: Orbital Sciences explores space for dollars

The Dulles-based rocket and satellite company hopes the space station takes its profits to new heights.

Warren Brown

Warren Brown

A lot to offer, but no mute button

I was able to overlook the 2014 Subaru Impreza’s little demons in favor of the compact car’s much larger angels.

Nuts & Bolts: 2014 Subaru Impreza

It’s one of the best, most affordable, most reliable compact sedans available, but too noisy.

Michelle Singletary

Michelle Singletary

Have a credit card confession? Let’s talk about it.

“Confessions of a Credit Junkie” is the latest Color of Money Book Club pick — and a good conversation starter.

Latest Business News

Wall Street braces for Volcker rule approval

Wall Street braces for Volcker rule approval

The sweeping rule would restrict banks’ ability to make risky investments with their own money.

Study: Safety-net programs have put a dent in poverty rate

Study: Safety-net programs have put a dent in poverty rate

Researchers say unemployment aid and food stamps helped reduce the share of Americans who are poor.

Why are minorities saving so little for retirement?

Why are minorities saving so little for retirement?

New report finds they gain the least from retirement tax policy, and stand to lose the most if benefits are cut

The best sentences we read today

The best sentences we read today

“She was hit by an airborne deer.“

Treasury sells last shares in GM, posts a loss of $10 billion

The government will lose $10 billion on the deal, which kept the automaker from collapsing.

Sysco to buy US Foods for $3.5 billion

Sysco to buy US Foods for $3.5 billion

The new firm will combine the top two U.S. food distributors and command a quarter of the North American market.

Is scarcity over?

Science keeps finding new ways to extract resources. Should we stop worrying about not having enough?

Americans may be done deleveraging

Americans may be done deleveraging

Americans’ household balance sheets are looking a lot better than they used to.

Why the FTC couldn’t fine a flashlight app for allegedly sharing user location data

Why the FTC couldn’t fine a flashlight app for allegedly sharing user location data

Everything you need to know about the FTC’s privacy enforcement authorities.

Study: Retirees can explain the drop in the labor force since 2012

Study: Retirees can explain the drop in the labor force since 2012

Philadelphia Fed: “The decline in the participation rate since the first quarter of 2012 is entirely accounted for by increases in nonparticipation due to retirement.“

Can Obama get more women to code?

Can Obama get more women to code?

“Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.“

New American Airlines CEO vows to make merger work

New American Airlines CEO vows to make merger work

American Airlines and US Airways seem an unlikely couple, even to the man who will lead the combined company after their merger on Monday.

Law enforcement made 1 million requests for wireless info

Law enforcement made 1 million requests for wireless info

But what we don’t know is how many people this actually affected.

Your Obamacare questions, answered!

Your Obamacare questions, answered!

There are lots of questions about how to shop on HealthCare.gov. We have some answers.

What happens when a union acts like a corporation

What happens when a union acts like a corporation

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers hasn’t had a leadership election in more than 50 years.

HealthCare.Gov’s problems don’t mean Obamacare will fail

HealthCare.Gov’s problems don’t mean Obamacare will fail

The Obamacare convergence is over.

What happens if the budget talks fail?

What happens if the budget talks fail?

A closer look at why Republicans may actually agree to increase spending (somewhat) next year.

We’re closer than you think to a revolution in drone shipping

We’re closer than you think to a revolution in drone shipping

Shipping companies stand to gain immensely from transporting goods internally by drone.

This $2,000 drug says everything about our messed up health-care system

This $2,000 drug says everything about our messed up health-care system

It’s not any more effective than the $50 alternative -- but lots of doctors have every incentive to use it.

Five Nelson Mandela tributes that will change how you think

Five Nelson Mandela tributes that will change how you think

These five reflections on Mandela go beyond the deluge of celebrity essays and standard-fare obituaries.

Volatility isn’t a big problem for Bitcoin

Volatility isn’t a big problem for Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s volatility is a reflection of the currency’s growing pains. It will go down over time.

The Switchboard: Wait, there are federal agencies still using floppy disks?

The Switchboard: Wait, there are federal agencies still using floppy disks?

New NSA revelations including spying in video game worlds, outdated technology still in use by government, and a bad joke about spectrum auctions.

The ‘Grand Bargain’ is over

The ‘Grand Bargain’ is over

Remember the “Grand Bargain“? What Patty Murray and Paul Ryan are crafting is the antithesis of that.

Small business weekly: SHOP delay kept under wraps?

Small business weekly: SHOP delay kept under wraps?

A look back at the biggest small-business news from the past week.

Tech companies unite to call for new limits on surveillance

Tech companies unite to call for new limits on surveillance

The firms, including Microsoft, Google and Facebook, say there is an “urgent need” for reform.

Market News

S&P 500 index notches another record close

S&P 500 index notches another record close

The stock market notched another record close Monday after a big acquisition in the food industry. Hope for a longer-term budget deal in Washington also helped.