‘Supercore’ inflation measure shows Fed may have a real problem

‘Supercore’ inflation measure shows Fed may have a real problem

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell attends a “Fed Listens” event in Washington, DC, on October 4, 2019. Eric Baradat | AFP | Getty Images A hotter-than-expected consumer price index reading rattled markets Wednesday, but markets are buzzing about an even more specific prices gauge contained within the data — the so-called supercore inflation reading. … Read more

Fed wants more confidence that inflation is moving toward 2% target, meeting minutes indicate

Fed wants more confidence that inflation is moving toward 2% target, meeting minutes indicate

Federal Reserve officials at their March meeting expressed concern that inflation wasn’t moving lower quickly enough, though they still expected to cut interest rates at some point this year. At a meeting in which the Federal Open Market Committee again voted to hold short-term borrowing rates steady, policymakers also showed misgivings that inflation, while easing, … Read more

Trump slams Biden for inflation after hotter-than-expected CPI report

Trump slams Biden for inflation after hotter-than-expected CPI report

Joe Biden and Donald Trump 2024. Kevin Lamarque | Jay Paul | Reuters Donald Trump on Wednesday pounced on President Joe Biden after March’s consumer price index came in higher than expected, notching another data point that could signal inflation heating back up and tempering hopes of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in the near … Read more

10-year Treasury yield jumps back above 4.5% after March inflation tops estimates

10-year Treasury yield jumps back above 4.5% after March inflation tops estimates

The 10-year Treasury yield jumped back above 4.5% on Wednesday after March inflation data came in hotter than expected, adding to the likelihood of higher-for-longer interest rates from the Federal Reserve. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was last higher by more than 14 basis points at 4.509%. The yield on the 2-year Treasury was … Read more

Will the Fed cut rates this year?

Will the Fed cut rates this year?

The Federal Reserve is determined not to reduce interest rates too soon — and some economists say recent data has pushed a summer cut completely off the table. Friday’s jobs report reiterated the seemingly unwavering strength of the U.S. labor market and suggested further need for Fed caution. All eyes will now be on Wednesday’s … Read more

4 main events to watch the market

4 main events to watch the market

Wall Street bounced back Friday but still turned in a losing week. Questions about Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and rising geopolitical tensions dominated trade and will continue to be key themes to watch. Good jobs news — strong hiring last month with elevated but moderating wage inflation — was treated as such Friday. But … Read more

10-year Treasury yield jumps after stronger-than-expected jobs report

10-year Treasury yield jumps after stronger-than-expected jobs report

Treasury yields climbed on Friday after closely watched nonfarm payrolls data for March surged past expectations. The 10-year Treasury yield jumped 6 basis points to 4.371%. The benchmark note on Wednesday briefly touched a new 2024 high of 4.429%. The 2-year Treasury yield was also higher by 8 basis points at 4.719%. Yields and prices … Read more

Fed Governor Bowman says additional rate hike could be needed if inflation stays high

Fed Governor Bowman says additional rate hike could be needed if inflation stays high

US Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman attends a “Fed Listens” event at the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, DC, on October 4, 2019.  Eric Baradat | AFP | Getty Images Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said Friday that it’s possible interest rates may have to move higher to control inflation, rather than the cuts her … Read more

Demand for french fries reflects resilient consumer as so-called fry attachment rate holds steady

Demand for french fries reflects resilient consumer as so-called fry attachment rate holds steady

A McDonald’s crew member prepares french fries in Miami, Florida. Getty Images It’s a timeless question at fast-food counters: Do you want fries with that? Responders continue answering affirmatively at a higher-than-average rate, a top potato supplier indicated. It underscores the resilience of consumer spending, even as inflation pinches pocketbooks and pandemic savings dry up. … Read more

Job gains expected again in March. What to look for in Friday’s report

Job gains expected again in March. What to look for in Friday’s report

A person works on a Bowlus recreational vehicle at Bowlus’ factory in Oxnard, California, Feb. 23, 2024. Timothy Aeppel | Reuters The March nonfarm payrolls count likely will indicate hiring continuing at a solid pace, though some weakening foundations of the labor market could take greater focus when the Labor Department releases its key report … Read more