Maria Lopez
Business & Economy Reporter
Maria Lopez reports on markets, the labor market, and the companies shaping the US economy. She previously covered local business news before joining DailyScopePost.
Articles by Maria Lopez
How Mortgage Rates Affect Home Buyers
Even small changes in mortgage rates can significantly affect monthly payments and how much home buyers can afford. Here's how the math works.
What Is Inflation? How It's Measured and Why It Matters
Inflation shapes everything from grocery bills to interest rates. Here's what it actually measures and how economists track it.
What Is a 401(k) and How Does It Work?
A 401(k) is one of the most common retirement savings tools in the US. Here's a breakdown of how contributions, matching, and taxes work.
How Does the Federal Reserve Set Interest Rates?
The Fed's rate decisions ripple through mortgages, credit cards, and savings accounts. Here's how the process actually works.
What Is an Index Fund? A Beginner's Guide to Investing
Index funds are one of the most commonly recommended ways to invest for long-term goals. Here's what they are and how they work.
Understanding Quarterly Earnings Season: What Investors Watch For
Four times a year, publicly traded companies report their financial results. Here's what earnings season is and why it moves markets.
What Is a Recession? How Economists Define and Track One
The word gets used loosely, but economists rely on specific indicators to determine whether the economy is actually in a recession.