New data on the labor market and inflation released on Thursday continued to show a slowing economy as it heads to a likely recession. For the Federal Reserve, that data bolstered the case that it will pause its rate increases after one final hike in this cycle on May 3. Whether to have that ... READ MORE >
producer price index
Retail sales and producer inflation fell in February
Retail sales dropped in February after surging in January, while producer inflation fell unexpectedly on the month, signaling easing demand pressures. Still, looking underneath the top-line numbers and through seasonal fluctuations, spending at retail stores remained solid. Wednesday’s ... READ MORE >
Jobs and inflation data show a still-strong economy
Both producer inflation and jobless claims came in stronger than expected in the most recent government reports released on Thursday. The data adds further pressure on the Federal Reserve as it aims to steer the economy toward a soft landing. With strong data accumulating, current conditions ... READ MORE >
U.S. retail sales and producer inflation fall as spending weakens
Retail sales and producer inflation data came in lower than expected in December, giving the Federal Reserve more reasons to begin to slow down its rate hikes. Sales at retail stores and online showed broad declines in the last month of the year, dropping by 1.1%. November's number was also ... READ MORE >
Producer price inflation hotter than expected ahead of Fed’s meeting
Wholesale prices grew faster than expected in November, driven mostly by services which have become the new focus of the Federal Reserve in its fight against inflation. The producer price index for final demand rose by 0.3% in November and by 7.4% year-over-year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported ... READ MORE >
Producer prices rebound, keeping pressure on Fed to raise rates
The Producer Price Index rose by 0.4% in September after falling for two straight months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Wednesday. The series has been closely watched recently as an additional gauge for inflation. On a year-over-year basis, the producer inflation rate was 8.5%, which will ... READ MORE >
Producer prices ease as energy costs fall
Prices paid to domestic producers deflated for the second month in a row as energy prices continued to fall and food prices remained unchanged. August's producer inflation index for final demand fell by 0.1% from July, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a ... READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims rise as producer inflation deflates for first time in 2 years
New claims for U.S. jobless benefits rose 5.6% in the first week of August to 262,000 as layoffs continued to pick up, according to Labor Department data released on Thursday. While there has been a clear upward trend in new unemployment claims, the number remained relatively low compared to the ... READ MORE >
Latest jobless claims and producer inflation show upside surprises
New filings for jobless benefits last week rose by 3.8% to 244,000—the highest level since November, according to government data released Thursday. The steady increase in new jobless claims, which are a proxy for layoffs, were in line with hiring freezes and layoff announcements coming from the ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: U.S. producer inflation remained elevated
Producer inflation remained elevated in May, even as the overall year-over-year number eased slightly, according to Labor Department data released on Tuesday. The report adds pressure on the Federal Reserve, which is meeting this week and considering more aggressive measures to tame inflation. We now ... READ MORE >