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Inflation
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U.S. added 428,000 jobs in April despite surging inflation
With many industries slowed by labor shortages, companies have been jacking up wages to try to attract job applicants and retain their existing employees. Even so, pay raises haven’t kept pace with the spike in consumer prices.
Here’s how higher Fed rates stand to affect Americans’ finances
Economists and investors foresee the fastest pace of Federal Reserve rate increases since 1989. The result could be much higher borrowing costs for households well into the future.
Fed raises key rate by half-point in bid to tame inflation
The Federal Reserve intensified its fight against the worst inflation in 40 years by raising its benchmark short-term interest rate by a half-percentage point Wednesday—its most aggressive move since 2000—and signaling further large rate hikes to come.
AT&T raises prices on wireless plans to address higher costs
The price hike will test whether carriers can join other industries like food and energy in passing on higher costs. The plan could backfire if disgruntled AT&T customers defect to Verizon and T-Mobile.
Key inflation gauge jumped 6.6% in March, most since 1982
Yet, there were signs in Friday’s report from the Commerce Department that inflation might be slowing from its galloping pace and perhaps nearing a peak, at least for now.
U.S. economy shrank by 1.4% in first quarter, but consumers kept spending
The economy’s overall decline in the January-March quarter does not mean a recession is likely in the coming months. Most economists expect a rebound this quarter as solid hiring and wage gains sustain growth.
U.S. consumers still confident, but slightly less so
U.S. consumer confidence dampened slightly in April but remains high even as inflation continues to cloud optimism about the rest of the year.
Why the Fed worries about strongest U.S. job market in decades
As the Federal Reserve sees it, the surge in job postings forces employers to boost wages to attract and keep workers. Those higher labor costs are then passed to customers in the form of higher prices, thereby helping fuel inflation.
Retail sales rose 0.5% in March amid soaring inflation
Soaring prices on everything, particularly at the gas pump, are now making shoppers choosier about how they spend their money.
Amazon adds 5% ‘fuel and inflation surcharge’ to seller fees
In a notice sent to sellers Wednesday, the company said its costs had gone up since the beginning of the pandemic due to increases in hourly wages, the hiring of workers and construction of more warehouses.
U.S. inflation jumped 8.5% over past year, highest since 1981
Even excluding volatile food and energy prices, which have driven overall inflation, so-called core inflation jumped 6.5% over the past 12 months, the biggest such increase since 1982.
Treasurys slump ignites global selloff as rate hikes gain focus
Long-term U.S. Treasury yields jumped to a three-year high on Monday, fueling a global rise in borrowing costs as traders intensified bets on aggressive rate hikes from major central banks.
U.S. inflation might peak in March, but it’s a slow go to Fed’s 2% goal
The Fed last month kicked off what’s expected to be a series of interest rate hikes to tame inflation, but the efforts to temper demand will take time to materialize.
Global food prices soar to record levels on Ukraine war disruptions
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said its Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices for a basket of commodities, averaged 159.3 points last month, up 12.6% from February.
Inflation hitting not-for-profits’ services, ability to fundraise
Not-for-profits of all kinds are getting hurt by inflation, experts say. Price and wage increases are stressing them in multiple ways, making it harder to keep up with their own basic operational expenses while also forcing them to curtail the services they provide.
Biden administration bets strong job market will shield economy from slump
The next few months will test whether President Joe Biden built a durable recovery full of jobs with last year’s $1.9 trillion relief package, or an economy overfed by government aid that could tip into a downturn.
Fed signals more aggressive steps to fight inflation
In minutes from their policy meeting three weeks ago released Wednesday, Fed officials said that half-point interest rate hikes, rather than traditional quarter-point increase, “could be appropriate” multiple times this year.
Key inflation gauge sets 40-year high as gas and food soar
Squeezed by inflation, consumers increased their spending by just 0.2% in February, down from a much larger 2.7% gain in January. Adjusted for inflation, spending actually fell 0.4% last month.
Even as inflation bites, corporate profits remain flush
Big companies have successfully raised prices for their products because their customers have kept lining up regardless. What’s uncertain is how much longer the trend may last, before customers sharply cut back on their purchases.