APRIL 15, 2024 – MARCH INFLATION AT 3.5 PERCENT, JUNE RATE CUT UNLIKELY Inflation remains persistent with consumer prices rising 3.5 percent in March, a pick-up from 3.2 percent in February. This was the third straight month inflation surpassed expectations. With inflation remaining firm, it’s becoming unlikely the Fed will lower rates soon. The Fed’s inflation target is 2 percent. …

APRIL 8, 2024 – 303,000 JOBS ADDED IN MARCH, UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 3.8 PERCENT The US economy added 303,000 jobs in March, beating expectations for 200,000 jobs. The unemployment rate was down 0.1 percent from February to 3.8 percent. Average hourly earnings in March were up 4.1 percent from a year earlier, the smallest annual gain since June 2021. A …

APRIL 1, 2024 – CORE PCE INFLATION INDEX UP 2.8 PERCENT IN FEBRUARY The Fed’s favored inflation measure, the core personal consumption expenditures index (excluding food and energy), increased 0.3 percent in February, or 2.8 percent on a 12-month basis. The data came was as expected. The PCE is seen to be a good gauge of long-term inflation pressures. The …

MARCH 25, 2024 – THE FED MEETS, ANTICIPATES THREE RATE CUTS IN 2024 The Federal Reserve had their regularly scheduled meeting last week. As expected, they chose to leave interest rates unchanged, and said interest rates will come down later this year as inflation cools. The Fed remains wary about rebound inflation and until inflation seems to be tamed, rates …

MARCH 18, 2024 — FED’S CAUTION ON RATES JUSTFIED AS INFLATION PICKS UP IN FEBRUARY Inflation remained persistent as consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in February, up from 0.3 percent in January. Compared to a year ago, prices were up 3.2 percent, ahead of January’s 3.1 percent annual pace. Core prices, which exclude food and energy, were up 0.4 percent …

MARCH 11, 2024 – 275,000 NEW JOBS ADDED IN FEBRUARY The US economy added 275,000 jobs in February, while the unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent, up from 3.7 percent in January. The numbers beat analysts’ expectations of 200,000 new jobs. The Labor Department’s report adjusted down the December new jobs to 290,000 (-43K) and January’s to 229,000 (-124K) from …

MARCH 4, 2024 – FED’S PREFERRED INFLATION INDEX RUNNING AT 2.8% The core personal consumption index (PCE), the Fed’s preferred inflation index, increased 0.4 percent In January and is up 2.8 percent from a year ago. The numbers met broad expectations. Headline PCE, which includes food and energy, was up 0.3 percent for the month and 2.4 percent year over …

FEBRUARY 26, 2024 – INFLATION EXPECTED TO TICK UP The Personal Consumption Index (PCE) will be released Thursday this week, the Fed’s preferred inflation indicator.  Economists are expecting a core reading, which excludes food and energy, to be up 0.4 percent. That is double December’s 0.2 percent, which means annual inflation will be tracking above the Fed’s 2 percent target. …

FEBRUARY 20, 2024 – THE INFLATION RATE REMAINS STUBBORN Inflation was unexpectedly high in January. Consumer prices were up 3.1 percent last month, proving the Fed’s reticence to lower interest rates is justified. The Fed fears a rebound in inflation and has chosen to wait rather than act too quickly. Their targeted inflation rate is 2 percent, and it is …

FEBRUARY 12, 2024 – JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL, FED CALLS FOR PATIENCE Hopes for a rate cut in March have been crushed. January’s consumer price index will be released this week, but in the run up, it was reported last week that the labor market remains robust. Initial filings for unemployment insurance were lower last week as employers kept workers on …