The top-line increase of 0.6% in January and 7.5% on a year-ago basis will intensify market speculation about a 50 basis-point hike at the March meeting. … READ MORE >
inflation
Monetary and fiscal policy in a changing economy: Reflation, and the risks that remain
The last in a series of articles regarding monetary and fiscal policy as the economy restarts within a changing framework of labor force choices, automation and pricing. … READ MORE >
Fed to use conventional and unconventional tools to obtain price stability
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled that it intends to use both conventional and unconventional tools to address risks to the economic outlook caused by inflation. … READ MORE >
FOMC preview: Shaping expectations for a major policy shift
Expect the FOMC to lay the groundwork for a major policy shift that includes a rate hike in March, another in June, and a balance sheet runoff likely to start in June or July. … READ MORE >
Canada inflation highest since 1991 as supply chain disruptions continue
Canada’s consumer price index hit 4.8% in December, the highest since 1991 as supply chain disruptions continued, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday. … READ MORE >
Americans’ real earnings are higher today than before the pandemic
Even as prices have soared in recent months, American workers are earning more than they did before the pandemic as the overall gains in their wages have outpaced inflation over the past two years. … READ MORE >
Price stability now a paramount concern as inflation hits 7%
The Consumer Price Index rose to a 7% annual rate in December, presenting a challenge to the Federal Reserve as it attempts to restore price stability. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Inflation and labor shortages pressure small businesses
Inflation and labor shortages continued to put pressures on small businesses as the Small Business Optimism Index in December remained below its pre-pandemic level, up only 0.5 points to 98.9. … READ MORE >
Monetary and fiscal policy in a changing economy: The Fed’s mandate for price stability
In the year ahead, the economy and financial markets will be influenced by how the Federal Reserve strikes a balance between its dual mandates of full employment and price stability. We examine the challenge of keeping prices stable. … READ MORE >
Consumer confidence improves despite concern over omicron variant and inflation
The Conference Board’s headline consumer confidence index rose by 3.9 points to 115.8 on the month, the largest increase in three months and the highest since July, according to data from the Conference Board on Wednesday. … READ MORE >