Retail sales rise meager 0.1% as still-high inflation curbs spending
Economists said the report reflected an increasingly cautious consumer.
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Number of Americans filing for jobless benefits jumps to highest level in 10 months
Though this week’s number seems relatively high, it’s still within a range that reflects a healthy labor market.
Inflation cooled slightly in May in sign price pressures might be easing
Federal Reserve officials, who will end their latest policy meeting later Wednesday, are scrutinizing each month’s inflation data to assess their progress in their fight against rising prices.
Economy added 272,000 jobs in May, surging past expectations
The hotter-than-expected data complicates the overall picture of the labor market as Federal Reserve policymakers look for signs of a softening economy as an indication that inflation can come down enough to lower high interest rates later in the year.
Inflation gauge closely tracked by Federal Reserve rises at slowest pace this year
Friday’s report also showed that income growth slowed and spending cooled sharply in April, a trend that could help moderate economic growth and inflation in the coming months.
Lingering inflation pressures continue to keep Fed rate cuts on pause
Hopes for interest rate cuts this year by the Federal Reserve are steadily fading, with a stream of recent remarks by Fed officials underscoring their intention to keep borrowing costs high as long as needed to curb persistently elevated inflation.
Target says it plans to cut prices on thousands of basic items
Target is very cognizant of the spending pullback by shoppers amid high inflation. In March, it reported its first annual decline in sales in seven years.
U.S. wholesale prices rose in April by more than projected
Tuesday’s unexpectedly high readings may raise concerns on Wall Street, at the White House and for inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve.
Starbucks founder says company needs to refocus on coffee as sales struggle
The coffee giant said revenue dropped 2% in the January-March period as store traffic slowed around the world. It was the first time since 2020 that the company saw a drop in quarterly revenue.
Fed says interest rates will stay at two-decade high until inflation further cools
The Federal Reserve’s more cautious outlook stems from three months of data that pointed to chronic inflation pressures and robust consumer spending.
U.S. consumer sentiment falls as inflation expectations climb
The figures highlight the toll stubborn price pressures, along with higher borrowing costs, are taking on consumers.
U.S. growth slowed sharply last quarter, to 1.6% pace
Despite cooling, the economy is still creating price pressures, a continuing source of concern for the Federal Reserve.
Retail sales surge as Americans buy despite higher prices
Americans boosted spending at a hotter-than-expected pace in March, underscoring how shoppers remain resilient despite inflationary pressures and other economic challenges.
Higher gas, rents keep U.S. inflation elevated, likely delaying Fed rate cuts
The March figures, the third straight month of inflation readings well above the Fed’s 2% target, provide concerning evidence that inflation is stuck at an elevated level after having steadily dropped in the second half of 2023.
Employers added 303,000 jobs in March, soaring past expectations
The unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, extending the longest stretch of unemployment below 4 percent in five decades.
Pete the Planner: Job satisfaction is so much more than a good salary
The allure of a hefty paycheck can be intoxicating. It’s easy to believe that more money equates to greater success or happiness. But the truth is, our perception of our own salary often shifts dramatically when compared with someone else’s.
Inflation gauge closely tracked by Federal Reserve shows slight easing in inflation
Core prices rose just 2.8% from 12 months earlier in February—the lowest such figure in nearly three years—down from 2.9% in January.
Q&A: GOP candidates for governor on the economy
With less than 50 days before polls close on the Hoosier State’s most competitive primary in decades, the Indiana Capital Chronicle will publish four issue-based question and answers with the six Republican candidates.
Fed still foresees three interest rate cuts this year despite another bump in inflation
The financial markets cheered the message Wednesday from Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, with traders sending the Dow Jones industrial average surging 1%, to another all-time high.
February retail sales up 0.6%, yet fissures emerge
Last month’s gain was weaker than expected, and January’s decline was revised even lower, suggesting that many are growing more cautious with their money.