Axios

More than 15,000 small businesses have been helped though Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses philanthropic program, the company tells Axios exclusively.

Why it matters: Entrepreneurship has boomed since the pandemic — as have obstacles to operate.

We get an extra day on the calendar this year (tomorrow), which got me wondering about whether leap years have had any correlation to stock market performance, Hope writes.

By the numbers: The average annual return of the S&P 500, including dividends, from 1928 to 2023 is 11.66%, according to an Axios analysis.

• Non-leap years, on average, performed slightly better at 11.76%, while leap years performed slightly worse at 11.35%.

The takeaway: There's not a significant difference, but it was fun to look through.

Lunar New Year has come and gone, but its vibes remain.

Why it matters: Brands and retailers are increasingly experimenting with marketing around the holiday, which lands during a typically sluggish quarter relative to Q4.

The national economy finished 2023 on a strong footing, the Commerce Department confirmed today. And the rapid growth looks set to continue well into 2024.

By the numbers: The second estimate of fourth-quarter GDP shows the economy expanded at a 3.2% annualized rate — down 0.1 percentage point from the initial reading.

Wendy's said Wednesday it will not raise prices when demand is at its highest in response to consumer backlash about the company's plans to test "dynamic pricing," commonly referred to as surge pricing.

Why it matters: A flurry of news articles about the fast-food chain planning to test a new pricing strategy as early as 2025 caused a public relations nightmare for the company.

This year's most environmentally friendly car is the plug-in hybrid electric Toyota Prius Prime SE, according to a report from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Why it matters: The hybrid, which can be driven using nothing but electric power, edged out ahead of the most "green" electric vehicle (EV), the Lexus RZ 300e.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that Boeing has 90 days to create a plan to address its "systemic quality-control issues."

Why it matters: Boeing, one of the world's largest aerospace manufacturers, has been under intense scrutiny after one of its 737 MAX 9 jets experienced a mid-flight door plug blowout in January.

A record share of people with disabilities were working last year, finds a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why it matters: These are people who face huge obstacles in landing jobs; that more of them are employed is a sign of a strong labor market, post-pandemic changes, and the rise of remote employment.

The Southeast has become distinctly more prosperous in just a few years — part of a shift in the geography of economic distress in the U.S., according to new data reported first by Axios.

Why it matters: The latest update of the Distressed Community Index, out Wednesday from the Economic Innovation Group, shows large parts of the country are becoming more vibrant.