American consumers defied rising inflation and market uncertainties in March, continuing to spend more on goods and services as their wages increased and they saved less. Personal spending rose by 0.2% in March on an inflation-adjusted basis, following an upwardly revised 0.1% increase in February. The ... READ MORE >
Search Results for: inflation
Canada’s inflation hits 6.7% as the global oil shock sets in
Inflation in Canada hit 6.7% in March, up from 5.7% in February and the largest year-over-year increase since January 1991 as supply chain disruptions, the war in Ukraine and a reopening economy all had an effect. Excluding gasoline, inflation rose 5.5% from a year ago, the fastest since the index of ... READ MORE >
Retail sales slow in March as inflation takes a toll
March’s retail sales posted weaker growth than forecast as red-hot inflation continued to drag sales volume lower, adding downside risks to our forecast for economic growth that might dip below 1% in the first quarter. The headline sales number increased by 0.5% on the month, according to Commerce ... READ MORE >
Inflation marches higher, hitting 8.5% compared to a year ago
Long ago and far away, it was once taught that inflation has long and variable lags. That still probably applies when setting policy, managing a portfolio or making longer-term investments as top-line inflation jumped by 1.2% in March to 8.5% on a year-ago basis, according to government data released ... READ MORE >
A key inflation gauge surged in February, dampening spending
The likelihood of a 50 basis-point rate hike by the Federal Reserve in May increased on Thursday as the government reported that a key inflation gauge continued to surge in February. The data for the personal consumption expenditures price index came as another strong jobs report is expected on ... READ MORE >
Canada’s inflation hits 5.7% in a warmup for what’s ahead
Canada's inflation rate hit 5.7% year over year in February, up from 5.1% in January, as price increases continued to broaden across categories, according to data from Statistics Canada on Wednesday. The eye-popping figures, however, do not capture price increases associated with Russia’s invasion of ... READ MORE >
U.S. retail sales lag inflation in February amid rising energy prices
Retail sales growth fell behind inflation increases in February, posting a weak 0.3% increase, as growth slowed down in most categories except gasoline stations. Consumer rationing because of rising gasoline prices already took place before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Excluding sales at the gas ... READ MORE >
Life during wartime: Inflation, price controls and economic conflict
Inflation spikes higher during war and economic conflict. Price dislocation, price controls and self-rationing are facts of life during wartime. Today, with inflation at a 40-year high and a policy rate pinned to the zero boundary, policymakers face significant constraints as they try to find ways ... READ MORE >
Preview of coming attractions: Inflation surges to 7.9%
The February consumer price index provided an unpleasant preview of coming attractions in the U.S. economy as top-line inflation soared by 0.8% on the month, pushing the year-ago reading to 7.9%, the fastest rate in 40 years. It is important to note that the February estimation of inflation ... READ MORE >
Bank of Canada raises rates in response to inflation
The Bank of Canada announced on Wednesday that it would raise its overnight rate to 0.5%, 25 basis points from the lower bound policy rate of 0.25%, to tackle inflation. This marks the first rate hike in more than three years. The bank, however, said it would keep its holdings of bonds on its balance ... READ MORE >