King Banaian

Tariffs and the impact of those in the United States have been talked about quite a bit in recent months. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON to explain what has happened so far and what it means.

President Trump is expected to hand down extensive tariffs on numerous countries throughout the world starting today. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON. He expects the products that will be immediately affected include automobiles, electronics (cell phone, computers, etc..) and pharmaceuticals.

The holiday shopping season is underway. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON. He says Central Minnesota shoppers are looking for savings and name brands are not as important to many.

The Christmas shopping season is underway for some while others will wait until after Thanksgiving. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON today. He expects a good Christmas shopping season as consumers are still spending money.

The St. Cloud area is seeing labor growth. That according to St. Cloud Economist King Banaian, who joined me on WJON today. He says the St. Cloud area has seen a number of workers come into the area through migration.

It was a tough week on Wall Street last week and there have been numerous reports of job cuts. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON. He explains the recent troubles with the job market isn't a sign of a recession quite yet. Banaian says the job market is weaker and slower but he's not ready to say a recession is coming.

The cost of goods and services have been on the steady increase. St. Cloud State University Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON. He says wages are catching up with inflation but that also carries consequences. Banaian believes if wages go up too much it will cause interest rates to stay higher for longer because the Federal Reserve will feel like inflation hasn't made enough progress and they won't cut rates.

Due to the value of the U.S. dollar St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian believes this could be a good time to travel overseas. Banaian joined me on WJON today. He says the U.S. dollar is about as strong as it's been in quite some time.

Shopping Malls have undergone some challenges and changes recently. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON. He says the malls of the 70s and 80s often included movie theaters, restaurants and shops. People would make a day of their experience.

Americans are incurring more debt. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian explained on WJON Monday that debts levels are returning to 2019 levels. He says the pandemic of 2020 influenced many people's spending.

Gas prices have been on the rise recently but St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian doesn't think that will continue. He joined me on WJON today. He says the reason for the rise in gas prices has to do with an electrical situation that happened at a plant in Indiana which took the biggest supplier of gas in the Midwest offline.

Gas prices have been on the steady decline for the past few months. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON. He explained United States production of oil has reached an all time high surpassing the highs established pre-pandemic.