Inflation gauge tracked by the Federal Reserve falls to lowest point in 2 years
Last month’s progress in easing overall inflation was tempered by an elevated reading of “core” prices, a category that excludes volatile food and energy costs.
Inflation
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Fed’s Powell says one or two more rate hikes might be needed in 2023
Speaking on Capitol Hill for a second day, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said returning U.S. inflation to 2% is crucial to support the long-term health of the U.S. economy.
Powell to face hearings at time of rising uncertainty over interest rates
The two days of hearings before Congress will likely focus on the question that consumed the central bank last week: How far and how fast will the Fed raise its key interest rate from here?
Fed Chair Powell sees progress on inflation, though not enough
Chair Jerome Powell offered a nuanced view Wednesday of how the Federal Reserve intends to address its core challenge at a time when inflation is both way below its peak but still well above the central bank’s 2% target.
Fed keeps rates unchanged for first time in 15 months, but signals more hikes
The Fed’s move to leave its benchmark rate at about 5.1%, its highest level in 16 years, suggests that it believes the much higher borrowing rates it’s engineered have made some progress in taming inflation.
Inflationary pressures ease, as producer prices drop 0.3%
On a month-to-month basis, overall producer prices have now dropped three of the last four months.
Inflation eased further in May, but remains above normal levels
Housing costs continue to be a major driver of overall inflation. Rent rose 0.5 percent in May over the month before, only a minor improvement from a 0.6 percent increase in April. Rental costs are still up 8.7 percent over last year.
People spending less on hotels, flights, restaurants and more
An emerging pullback should be welcome news for the Federal Reserve, which has been taking aggressive steps for more than a year to slow the economy enough to bring down inflation.
Fed likely to skip interest-rate hike in June, officials signal
Leading Federal Reserve officials are sending out stronger signals that they will forego an increase at the central bank’s next meeting, though they indicate hikes could resume later this year.
U.S. job openings rise unexpectedly to highest mark since January
The resilience of the American labor market continues to complicate the Federal Reserve’s efforts to fight inflation.
U.S. consumer confidence declines for 4th time in 5 months
Consumer confidence fell in May as Americans became more pessimistic about the labor market, on top of elevated anxiety over inflation.
Inflation measure closely tracked by Federal Reserve increased in April
Friday’s report from the government showed that despite rising prices, consumers remain willing to spend.
Federal Reserve officials split over what to do next to fight inflation
The stubbornness of high inflation is dividing the Federal Reserve over how to manage interest rates, leaving the outlook for the Fed’s policies cloudier than at any time since it unleashed a streak of 10 straight rate hikes.
Economy shows signs of cooling, with easing inflation, higher jobless claims
Applications for unemployment benefits climbed to a more than one-year high and wholesale inflation continued to moderate, adding to signs of softening in the economy.
U.S. prices remain high, showing inflation pressures persist
The nation’s inflation rate has steadily cooled since peaking at 9.1% last June but remains far above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target rate.
New cars, once part of American dream, now out of reach for many
The average price of a new vehicle in the United States has risen 30 percent over the past three years, according to Kelley Blue Book, pricing more Americans out of the new car market.
U.S. adds a solid 253,000 jobs despite Fed’s rate hikes
April’s hiring gain compares with 165,000 in March and 248,000 in February and is still at a level considered vigorous by historical standards.
U.S. productivity declines more than forecast, labor costs climb
Quarterly productivity figures are extremely volatile, but if the latest decline is sustained, it risks keeping inflationary pressures elevated.
Fed set to raise rates yet again. What comes next is unclear.
Another quarter-point rate increase on Wednesday would leave the Fed’s key rate at 5.1%—a 16-year high and a full 5 percentage points higher than in March 2022.
Inflation pressures remain persistent as consumers pull back
Key measures of prices and wages remained high in March, keeping the Federal Reserve on track to raise interest rates next week for the 10th time since March of last year in its drive to defeat high inflation.