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Ben Popken

Senior Business Reporter

Ben Popken is a senior business reporter for NBC News.

Ben Popken is a senior business reporter for NBC News.


Latest from Ben Popken

Graphic: Track grocery price trends

NBC News is tracking changes in grocery prices to monitor the impact on consumers’ food bills.
766d ago

Baby formula supply issues send parents scrambling

A new baby formula warning threatens to strain already stretched supplies even more, leaving desperate parents scrambling.

Gas and heating costs could rise if Russia invades Ukraine, analysts say

​​It could get even more expensive to drive to the grocery store for milk or keep your home warm this winter if Russia makes good on its saber-rattling along
776d ago

Lower-income and minority households assuming bigger debt risks

Consumers are taking on more debt at a faster pace than they have in nearly 15 years as the economy heats up.
776d ago

Inflation rate rose 7.5 percent over previous January as price hikes persist

High prices continue to hit American shoppers as inflation rose faster than expected to 7.5 percent for the month of January over the previous year, exceeding

Inflation rose 7.5% as price hikes continue

High prices continue to hit American shoppers as inflation increased to 7.5% for the month of January on an annualized basis, exceeding the 40-year high set
783d ago

Economy gained a surprise 467,000 jobs last month

The economy gained a surprise 467,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate stayed relatively flat, rising slightly to 4 percent from 3.9 percent,
791d ago

U.S. economy grew by 5.7 percent last year, fastest pace since 1984

The U.S. economy grew last year at the fastest pace since Ronald Reagan’s presidency, bouncing back with resilience from 2020′s brief coronavirus recession.

Millions of kids were thrust back into poverty after the child tax credit expired. What’s next?

For millions of children, January has been the cruelest month, thrusting them back into poverty and leaving their families uncertain about how they will keep a
792d ago

The cost of groceries is soaring. Track prices where you live

Use this interactive chart to track the price of popular supermarket staples such as bacon, bread, eggs and orange juice.
798d ago

The government promised 500 million free test kits — but some manufacturers were already struggling to meet demand

As the U.S. government officially launches a website to give away 500 million free, at-home rapid Covid test kits, the industry that makes the key tool for