Inflation
UK inflation rate surprises with rise to 4%, led by alcohol and tobacco
Andresr | E+ | Getty Images LONDON — U.K. inflation unexpectedly nudged upwards to 4% year-on-year in December, fueled by a rise in alcohol and tobacco prices. This was the first month in which the annual consumer price index has risen since February 2023. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a modest decline in the […]
Deflation: Here’s where prices fell in December 2023, in one chart
Extreme-photographer | E+ | Getty Images As inflation continues to throttle back across the broad U.S. economy, some consumer categories have sunk into outright deflation. In other words: Americans are seeing prices decline for certain items. Those pullbacks have largely been among physical goods rather than services, economists said. Demand for goods soared early in […]
Here’s the inflation breakdown for December 2023 — in one chart
Consumers shop in Rosemead, California, on December 12, 2023. Frederic J. Brown | Afp | Getty Images The annual inflation rate edged higher in December following two months of declines. However, that reversal likely isn’t cause for concern — and may be somewhat misleading, economists said. “We’re still making progress in the inflation fight,” said […]
Market forecaster Jim Bianco sees the 10-year Treasury yield surging to 5.5% – a multi-decade high
It’s a level not seen since George W. Bush was president. Wall Street forecaster Jim Bianco is predicting the benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield will hit 5.5% this year — its highest level since May 2001. A major part of his thesis is built on the economy’s strength and resiliency. “I don’t think the economy […]
Fed officials in December saw rate cuts likely, but path highly uncertain, minutes show
Federal Reserve officials in December concluded that interest rate cuts are likely in 2024, though they appeared to provide little in the way of when that might occur, according to minutes from the meeting released Wednesday. At the meeting, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee agreed to hold its benchmark rate steady in a range […]
Fed’s Barkin sees likely soft landing ahead but notes rate hikes still a possibility
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin poses during a break at a Dallas Fed conference on technology in Dallas, Texas, May 23, 2019. Ann Saphir | Reuters Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin on Wednesday expressed confidence that the economy is on its way to a soft landing, but obstacles remain that will […]
‘Big Short’ investor Steve Eisman worries ‘everybody is coming into the year feeling too good,’ sees room for disappointment
Investor Steve Eisman of “The Big Short” fame is questioning the level of bullishness on Wall Street — even with the market’s tepid start to the year. From enthusiasm surrounding the “Magnificent Seven” technology stocks to expectations for multiple interest rate cuts this year, Eisman believes there’s little tolerance for things going wrong. “Long term, […]
UK inflation rate drops more than expected to 3.9% in November
LONDON, UK – Sept. 2021: People seen dining outdoors in Soho in London in September 2021. SOPA Images | LightRocket | Getty Images LONDON — U.K. inflation fell by more than expected in to hit 3.9% in November, in the lowest annual reading since September 2021. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a modest decline […]
Inflation gives millions new access to investments for the wealthy, says SEC
Morsa Images | Getty Images Inflation has given millions of people new access to certain investments earmarked for the wealthy — and consumer advocates argue that’s not a good thing. Americans must generally be “accredited” to invest in private companies and investments such as private equity and hedge funds. That accredited status is a consumer […]
Fed sparks irrational market optimism over potential rate cuts, former FDIC Chair Sheila Bair warns
Market optimism over the potential for interest rate cuts next year is dangerously overdone, according to former FDIC Chair Sheila Bair. Bair, who ran the FDIC during the 2008 financial crisis, suggested Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was irresponsibly dovish at last week’s policy meeting by creating “irrational exuberance” among investors. “The focus still needs […]