Business news in brief

By The Associated Press

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act rules include abortion accommodations

NEW YORK | Workers are entitled to time off and other job accommodations for abortions under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, according to finalized federal regulations published Monday.

The regulations provide guidance for employers and workers on how to implement the law, which passed with robust bipartisan Congressional support in December 2022 but sparked controversy last year when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission included abortions in its draft rules.

The language means that workers can ask for time off to obtain an abortion and recover from the procedure. It also covers other pregnancy-related medical conditions like miscarriage, stillbirth and lactation.

United Airlines reports $124 million loss

United Airlines said Tuesday that it lost $124 million in the first quarter, which it blamed on a three-week grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9s after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines Max jetliner in January.

United indicated it would receive far fewer new planes from Boeing this year than it expected, and it has begun leasing Airbus jets to fill out its fleet.

Financial results released by the airline pointed to continued strength in demand for air travel, especially within the United States and across the Atlantic. United forecast better-than-expected profit in the second quarter.

Shares of United rose 5% in after-hours trading.

IMF: Outlook for world economy is brighter

WASHINGTON | The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its outlook for the global economy, saying the world appears headed for a “soft landing” — reining in inflation without much economic pain and producing steady if modest growth.

The IMF now envisions 3.2% worldwide expansion this year, up a tick from the 3.1% it had predicted in January and matching 2023’s pace. It notes that the global expansion is being powered by unexpectedly strong growth in the United States, the world’s largest economy.

The IMF expects the U.S. economy to grow 2.7% this year, an upgrade from the 2.1% it had predicted in January and faster than a solid 2.5% expansion in 2023.

—From AP reports