Consumer Price Index
Economy Watch: Is January’s Inflation a Hint of Things to Come?
By D.C. Stribling A single month’s data does not a trend make, but two reports on Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics evoked the specter of higher inflation, something that hasn’t vexed the U.S. economy much since the early 1980s. Should inflation pick up while wages stay stagnant or worse, the impact on consumer spending might be significant. The BLS first reported that the U.S. Consumer Price Index increased 0.5 percent in January. Moreover, price increases were broad-based, unlike upward blips in recent years based on volatile energy prices. There were price increases in gasoline, shelter, apparel, medical care,…
Economy Watch: Beige Book Notes Tight Labor Market
Respondents from most of the Federal Reserve districts cited challenges finding qualified workers across skills and sectors, including the construction industry.
Economy Watch Weekly: Retail Sales Way Up in 2017
The retail sector ended 2017 on a high note, experiencing a 5.4 percent increase in sales from last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Economy Editor Dees Stribling discusses which categories fared best, for the week ending Jan. 12, 2018.
Economy Watch: Inflation Modest in December
Rising rents and health care costs were the main drivers in December’s inflation increase, which was the largest since January 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Economy Watch Weekly: Economic Growth in Sight
The consumer price index rose 0.1 percent in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economy Editor Dees Stribling breaks down economic growth.
Economy Watch Weekly: Consumers Less Certain About Economy
Economy Editor D.C. Stribling discusses the University of Michigan’s latest survey of consumers, which recorded a decrease in confidence about future economic prospects.
Economy Watch Weekly: Winning and Losing Retailers in June
Economy Editor Dees Stribling discusses the retail categories that saw a decline in sales for the month, mostly consisting of those that face competition from the Internet.
Economy Watch: CPI Stable in June
The cost of energy declined again in June, falling 1.6 percent, which offset an increase for all items besides food and energy, according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Economy Watch Weekly: Retail Sales, Inflation Rise in April
The U.S. economy saw a boost in retail sales and the consumer price index in April, which could increase the chances of the Federal Open Market Committee deciding to raise interest rates at its June meeting.
Economy Watch: Inflation Edges Up in April
The Consumer Price Index increased 0.2 percent for the month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While it’s not the only metric the Federal Open Market Committee considers, the increase could increase the odds that interest rates will rise next month.
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