Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate by a sizable half-point, signaling end to its inflation fight
The rate cut, the Fed’s first in more than four years, reflects its new focus on bolstering the job market, which has shown clear signs of slowing.
Inflation
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Federal Reserve set to cut interest rates for first time in 4 years
At issue is how fast the Fed wants to lower interest rates to a point where they’re no longer acting as a brake on the economy—nor as an accelerant. Where that so-called “neutral” level falls isn’t clear.
Traders bet on quarter-point Fed cut this month after rise in core inflation
The so-called core consumer price index, which excludes food and energy costs, increased 0.3% from July and 3.2% from a year ago, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed Wednesday.
U.S. economic growth for last quarter revised up to 3% annual rate
The Commerce Department had previously estimated that the nation’s gross domestic product—the total output of goods and services—expanded at a 2.8% rate from April through June.
Fed leader Powell: ‘The time has come’ for Fed to begin reducing interest rates
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that inflation, after the worst price spike in four decades inflicted pain on millions of households, appears largely under control.
Annual inflation level falls to 3-year low, setting up Fed for expected rate cut
For nearly a year, cooling inflation has provided gradual relief to America’s consumers, who were stung by the price surges that erupted three years ago, particularly for food, gas, rent and other necessities.
Americans’ refusal to keep paying higher prices may be final blow to US inflation spike
Some of America’s largest companies say their customers are increasingly seeking cheaper alternative products and services, searching for bargains or just avoiding items they deem too expensive.
U.S. added just 114,000 jobs in July; unemployment rate rises to 4.3%
Friday’s report from the Labor Department showed that employers added 35% fewer jobs than forecasters had expected and the unemployment rate hit its highest level since October 2021.
Paychecks grew more slowly in second quarter, Labor Department says
Higher wages and benefits are good for employees, but slower pay growth will likely reassure Federal Reserve officials that inflation is steadily falling back to their 2% target.
Fed’s preferred inflation gauge cools, adding to likelihood of September rate cut
Inflation has fallen steadily for the past year. Even so, the costs of everyday necessities like groceries, gasoline and rent remain much higher than they were three years ago.
Powell says Federal Reserve more confident inflation slowing toward target
In his remarks Monday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stressed that the Fed did not need to wait until inflation actually reached 2% to cut borrowing costs.
U.S. wholesale inflation picked up in June more than expected
The increase, the sharpest year-over-year increase since March 2023, comes at a time when other price indicators are showing that inflation has continued to ease.
Food companies feel the pain as consumers reject higher prices
PepsiCo’s and Conagra’s latest quarterly results suggest that consumers frustrated by rising prices are now spending less on established brands, particularly in the snack and soda aisles.
Inflation cools again, potentially paving way for Fed to cut interest rates soon
The June figures will qualify as another installment of the more good inflation data the central bank has been seeking. Should inflation remain low through the summer, most economists expect the Fed to begin cutting its benchmark rate in September.
Is inflation still cooling? Thursday’s report on June prices will provide clues.
Optimism is rising among economists, investors and Federal Reserve officials that U.S. inflation is nearly under control, with the latest report on consumer prices expected to show another month of mild increases.
Costco raises annual membership fees for the first time since 2017
The company disclosed the forthcoming 8% increase in the fee to gain entry into its more than 700 warehouses in the U.S. and Canada as part of a monthly sales report Wednesday.
Fed’s Powell highlights slowing job market in signal that rate cuts might be nearing
The Federal Reserve has made “considerable progress” toward its goal of defeating the worst inflation spike in four decades, Chair Jerome Powell said in his testimony to the Senate Banking Committee.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell: U.S. inflation cooling again, but rate cuts would be premature
After some persistently high inflation reports at the start of 2024, Powell said, the data for April and May “do suggest we are getting back on a disinflationary path.”
Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures easing further
Prices for physical goods actually fell 0.4% from April to May. Gasoline prices, for example, dropped 3.4%, furniture prices 1% and the prices of recreational goods and vehicles 1.6%.
Medicare cutting prices of 64 drugs that outpaced inflation
Some of America’s seniors will see their out of pocket costs fall for more than five dozen drugs—including treatments for osteoporosis and cancer—as part of the White House’s crackdown on rising pharmaceutical prices.