D3sign | Moment | Getty Images Inflation cooled in August and fell to its lowest level since February 2021, which was around the time the consumer price index began to climb during the pandemic era. This broad trend in the U.S. economy — a declining but still-positive rate of inflation — is known as “disinflation.” … Read more
Fotostorm | E+ | Getty Images Inflation cooled below 3% in July 2024, the first time it dropped beneath that level in more than three years. While many areas of the U.S. economy are dis-inflating — meaning their prices are still rising, though at a slower rate — some have been outright deflating. That means … Read more
It’s the nature of prices to go up over time, even in low-inflation environments. Historically, the target for the U.S. Federal Reserve has been 2% annual inflation. So when worldwide events like the Covid-19 pandemic push inflation well above that 2% target, it can be a real shock to consumers. Since hitting 9% in June … Read more
Inflation has throttled back significantly since peaking two years ago. The U.S. economy is even seeing some prices deflate for consumers. Deflation measures how quickly prices are falling for a consumer good or service. It’s the opposite of inflation, which gauges how quickly prices are increasing. Physical goods have accounted for much of the deflation … Read more
Oscar Wong | Moment | Getty Images Inflation is higher than policymakers would like across the broad U.S. economy. Yet, there are many sectors seeing the opposite dynamic: deflation. Deflation means prices are declining for consumers. Conversely, inflation measures how quickly costs are rising for goods and services. Consumers have largely seen prices deflate for … Read more
Chinese stocks look poised for a strong open when onshore traders return from the Lunar New Year break, with buoyant travel and tourism data seen bringing a much-needed relief to one of the world’s worst-performing major markets. With trading in mainland China shut from February 9-16, investors will likely take cues from gains seen for … Read more
Customers shop at an RC Willey home furnishings store in Draper, Utah, Aug. 28, 2023. George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images Inflation has pulled back significantly from its pandemic-era peak. In fact, some categories have fallen into outright deflation, meaning consumers are seeing the prices decline instead of rise. Deflation has largely occurred among physical goods … Read more
A customer visits a supermarket in San Mateo, California, on Dec. 12, 2023. Li Jianguo | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images Inflation is retreating from its pandemic-era highs. Economic jargon yields two similar terms — “deflation” and “disinflation” — that might describe this pullback. So, which is the U.S. experiencing? In short: Disinflation. What … Read more
