McDonald’s turned to a sure thing in the first quarter, bacon, and it paid off. Global sales rose 5.4% at stores open at least a year, a key metric of a retailer’s health. 

If you’re expecting to receive Social Security benefits, brace yourself. Costs for Social Security are projected to exceed the program’s income next year, which means beneficiaries may not get all that’s been promised to them. 

The grounding of its Boeing 737 Max jets is causing United Airlines to trim growth plans for this year, and the carrier expects to discuss potential compensation with Boeing.

With Gov. J.B. Pritzker seeking a state graduated income tax and Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot rethinking tax subsidies for controversial city projects, two economists offer their take on the local and national economy.

Walgreens slashed its 2019 forecast and missed second-quarter expectations with a performance that sent its shares plunging Tuesday and helped knock down the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Last month, the big-box store announced a second round of cuts as it phases out store greeters in favor of a more demanding customer host role. A local disability advocate calls the move “shortsighted.”

Boeing reported annual revenue of more than $100 billion for the first time and shares soared after the company easily beat Wall Street’s profit and sales expectations for the fourth quarter.

The world’s biggest hamburger chain said sales rose 4.4 percent at established locations in the fourth quarter and 4.5 percent for the year.  

Monday marks the start of income tax filing season. Learn about what’s different this year in the wake of new tax laws.

Caterpillar fell well short of fourth-quarter profit expectations and the machine maker said that sales have begun to slow in China. Shares tumbled 10 percent at the opening bell Monday, the worst sell-off in more than seven years.

Federal workers are feeling the effects of the government shutdown, but what about everyone else? Local economists weigh in on that and the economic forecast for 2019.

The city treasurer teams up with a national nonprofit to expand financial empowerment centers in Chicago neighborhoods.

The governor’s third executive order requires a review of emerging industries so that state money for workforce training can be best used.

Tech stocks led the dive Thursday on Wall Street after Apple reported a slowdown on iPhone sales in China. Economist Diane Swonk weighs in.

An Australian commodities trader has pleaded guilty to manipulating market prices by placing orders in the millions of dollars on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, then canceling them within milliseconds so that he could sell smaller orders at a profit.

It’s estimated that financial exploitation of seniors may cost as much as $3 billion every year. Joel Levin, director of the SEC’s Chicago regional office, shares tips for avoiding financial scams.