For second straight Halloween, candy inflation hits double digits
Candy giant Hershey Co.—which has raised its prices by 7% or more in each of the last seven quarters—acknowledged this week that higher prices are taking a toll on demand.
Inflation
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U.S. consumers still spending briskly in face of persistent inflation, high interest rates
September’s month-to-month price increase exceeds a pace consistent with the Fed’s 2% annual inflation target, and it compounds already higher costs for such necessities as rent, food and gas.
Fed chief says slower economic growth likely needed to conquer stubbornly high inflation
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that inflation remains too high.
Health insurance premiums rise to $24K a year, survey says
The average employer-sponsored health insurance premium for U.S. families rose 7%, according to an annual KFF survey of more than 2,000 U.S. companies.
U.S. consumer prices rise at brisk pace for second straight month
Recent inflation data underscore how a strong labor market is underpinning consumer demand, which risks keeping price pressures above the Fed’s target.
Fed officials signal cautious approach to rates amid heightened uncertainty
Federal Reserve officials regarded the U.S. economy’s outlook as particularly uncertain last month, according to minutes released Wednesday, and said they would “proceed carefully.”
Wholesale inflation rises 2.2% in biggest year-over-year gain since April
The numbers, driven by an uptick in the price of goods, came in higher last month than economists had expected.
Higher gasoline prices lift Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge
Excluding volatile food and energy prices, “core” inflation rose by the smallest amount in nearly three years, evidence that inflation pressures continue to ease.
Why the U.S. job market has defied rising interest rates, expectations of high unemployment
Last year’s spike in inflation, to the highest level in four decades, was painful enough for American households. Yet the cure—much higher interest rates, to cool spending and hiring—was expected to bring even more pain.
Federal Reserve expected to leave its key interest rate unchanged
Further clues about the future path of the Fed’s interest rate policy could emerge at a news conference Wednesday after the central bank issues a policy statement and its quarterly economic projections.
Inflation nudged up again in August as gas prices rose rapidly
Gas costs drove inflation in August, rising 10.6 percent over the month and accounting for more than half of the increase over July. All other major energy categories rose as well.
Fed’s preferred inflation gauge shows modest rise in prices
The latest data follows other recent reports that suggest the economy and the job market may be slowing enough to cool inflation pressures.
Global inflation pressures could become harder to manage in coming years, research suggests
Rising trade barriers, aging populations and broad transition to renewable energy are trends that could make it harder for the Federal Reserve and other central banks to meet their inflation targets.
Powell: Economy’s solid growth could require additional Fed hikes to fight inflation
In a closely watched speech at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the economy has been growing faster than expected and consumers are spending briskly—trends that could keep inflation pressures high.
Fed minutes: Too-high inflation still a threat, could require more rate hikes
Most Federal Reserve officials last month still regarded high inflation as an ongoing problem that could require further interest rate increases, according to the minutes of their July 25-26 meeting released Wednesday.
Inflation is down, but Inflation Reduction Act doesn’t deserve credit, experts say
While price increases have cooled over the past year—the inflation rate has dropped from 9% to 3.2%—most economists say little to none of the drop came from the law.
Wholesale inflation in U.S. edged up in July from low levels
Wholesale prices in the United States picked up in July, yet the numbers still suggested that inflationary pressures have eased this year since reaching alarming heights in 2022.
Overall U.S. inflation edges up, but core number’s rise holds steady
Inflation in the United States edged up in July after 12 straight months of declines. But excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core inflation matched the smallest monthly rise in nearly two years.
Yearlong slowdown in inflation might have stalled in July
Thursday’s inflation data will be among the key metrics the Federal Reserve will consider in deciding whether to continue raising interest rates.
Inflation has steadily cooled, but hitting Fed’s target rate will be toughest mile
Squeezing out the last bit of excess inflation and reducing it to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target rate is expected to be a much harder and slower grind.