Strong employment has sustained consumer spending levels, Commerce Department data for June released on Tuesday shows. Rdriven by robust employment despite consumers’ depleted savings and high interest rates. As retailers look ahead to the remainder of 2024, they should anticipate steady yet moderated spending. … READ MORE >
inflation
Producer prices rise 0.2%, but signs still point to lower inflation in Fed’s key gauge
Despite the producer price index coming in stronger than expected on Friday, the Federal Reserve’s most important measure of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures index, should remain near zero in June. … READ MORE >
June jobs report preview: Beveridge curve implies a balanced labor market as hiring cools
We think it will soon be time for the Fed to cut rates to avoid unnecessary damage to jobs and economic growth. … READ MORE >
Fed’s key inflation gauge continues to cool in May as income increases by 0.5%
The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation continued to ease in May as the personal consumption expenditures Index remained unchanged on the month and rose by 2.6% from a year ago. … READ MORE >
Spending cools more than expected as Fed contemplates rate cuts
American consumers pulled back in April as a sign of elevated interest rates weighing further on overall demand as the pandemic fiscal supports wane. … READ MORE >
Forecasts show softer April PCE inflation
We think the top-line PCE inflation will most likely come in at 0.25% for April, down from 0.30% in March, while the core index will slow to 0.26% from 0.30%. … READ MORE >
Retail demand shows weakness, leading to first inflation dip in 6 months
In a noteworthy turn, core goods prices have experienced a continued decline, contributing to the first dip in inflation in six months, according to April’s consumer price index. … READ MORE >
CPI resumes disinflationary trend in April amid weakened retail sales
Overall CPI inflation rose by 0.3% in April, while core inflation—which excludes food and energy—also rose by 0.3%. This helped bring the year-over-year headline inflation down to 3.4% and core inflation to 3.6%. … READ MORE >
Producer price offers mixed result ahead of CPI release
The producer price index increased by 0.5% in April, above estimates, as both goods and service prices accelerated, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Tuesday. … READ MORE >
Senior Loan Officer Survey: Progress halts as inflation rebounds in Q1
Progress toward normalized lending practices generally halted in the first quarter as the Federal Reserve turned more hawkish amid the rebound in inflation, according to data in a Fed report announced on Monday. … READ MORE >