Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.8%, or $151.7 Billion, in April, after rising 0.1% in March. Personal income increased by 0.4%, or $80.1 Billion, in April, after rising 0.3% in March. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.4% in April and is up 4.4% from a year prior. The core personal […]
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YOUR MEMORIAL DAY BBQ WILL COST 10.6% MORE THAN LAST YEAR
Key Points: While inflation is down from the Summer 2022 peak, Americans are still feeling the impact of higher prices. The costs were determined for 10 people consuming one plate of food. One plate consists of 4 oz. burger with lettuce, tomato, and bun, a hotdog, baked beans, potato salad, potato chips, vanilla ice cream, […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 3.3% UNDER BIDEN
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. Despite average hourly earnings trending up, wages are lower after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in April from March and is up 4.9% in […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED TO 4.9% IN APRIL, CORE PRICES REMAIN ELEVATED
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in April after rising 0.1% in March. CPI increased 4.9% from a year ago, down from 5.0% in March, and the lowest reading since April 2021. The rate of price increases fell below 5% after twenty-two consecutive months. The index for energy decreased 3.5% over the […]
Read MoreLABOR QUALITY THE TOP PROBLEM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, FOLLOWED BY INFLATION
Key Points: The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined in April to 89.0, down 1.1 from March. This marks the 16th consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98. Consensus among economists on the January index was a decline of 0.5 to 89.6. 23% of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem […]
Read MoreINFLATION GAUGE SHOWS CORE PRICES REMAIN ELEVATED
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by less than 0.1%, or $8.2 Billion, in March, after rising 0.1% in February. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $67.9 Billion, in March, the same rate as February. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1% in March and is up 4.2% from a year prior. The […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES FALL 1% OVER THE MONTH, MISSING EXPECTATIONS
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, fell 1.0% in March from February after last month was revised to a 0.2% decline. Consensus among economists was a 0.4% decline. Excluding autos, retail sales also fell by 0.8% over the month. Total sales for the January 2023 through March 2023 […]
Read MoreGETTING BEEF: AMERICANS NEED TO WORK 25% LONGER TO BUY GROUND BEEF SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE
Key Points: As of February 2023, the most recent data on the price of beef, the average worker needs to work for 8 minutes and 40 seconds in order to pay for a pound of ground beef. One year ago, a pound of ground beef cost a worker 8 minutes and 17 seconds worth of […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED IN MARCH, CORE PRICES REMAIN ELEVATED
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in March after rising 0.4% in February. CPI increased 5.0% from a year ago, down from 6.0% in February, and the lowest reading since May 2021. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the twenty-second straight month. The index for energy decreased 3.5% over […]
Read MoreKEY INFLATION GAUGE ROSE 0.3% IN FEBRUARY, SPENDING MODERATES
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $27.9 Billion, in February, after rising 2.0% in January. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $72.9 Billion, in February, down from 0.6% in January. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in February and is up 5.0% from a year prior. The core personal […]
Read MoreAMERICANS NEED TO WORK 2X LONGER TO AFFORD EGGS
Key Points: As of March 2023, on average, a worker needed to work for 7 minutes and 19 seconds in order to pay for a dozen eggs. A year ago, a dozen eggs cost a worker 3 minutes and 32 seconds worth of wages. That’s around half of the time they need to spend now. […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 3.7% UNDER BIDEN
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February from January and is up 6.0% in the last year. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real […]
Read MoreFOOD LEADS THE PRICE INCREASES IN THE LAST YEAR
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February from January and is up 6.0% in the last year. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.5% in February and is up 5.5% from the previous year. The overall food index rose 9.5%, food at home rose 10.2%, and food away […]
Read MoreCONSUMER PRICES INCREASED 6.0% FROM YEAR AGO
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February after rising 0.5% in January. CPI increased 6.0% from a year ago, down from 6.4% in January, and the lowest reading since September 2021. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the twenty-first straight month. The index for energy decreased 0.6% over […]
Read MoreCONSUMER PRICES JUMPED IN JANUARY ABOVE EXPECTATIONS
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 1.8%, or $312.5 Billion, in January, after falling 0.1% in January. Personal income increased by 0.6%, or $131.1 Billion, in January, up from 0.3% in December, but below the 0.9% consensus. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.6% in January and is up 5.4% from a […]
Read MoreINFLATION REMAINED STUBBORNLY HIGH IN JANUARY
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.5% in January from December and is up 6.4% in the last year. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.4% in January and is up 5.6% from the previous year. The overall food index rose 10.1%, food at home rose 11.3%, and food away […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES FELL 1.8% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.5% in January from December and is up 6.4% in the last year. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES REBOUND IN JANUARY DESPITE INFLATION
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 3.0% in January from December after falling 1.1% last month. Consensus among economists was a 1.8% increase. January’s increase comes after two months of decline at the end of last year. Excluding autos, retail sales also rose by 2.3% over the […]
Read MoreINFLATION ROSE 0.5% IN JANUARY, HIGHEST RATE SINCE OCTOBER
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.5% in January after falling 0.1% in December. CPI increased 6.4% from a year ago, down from 6.5% in December, and the lowest reading since October 2021. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the twentieth straight month. The index for energy decreased 2.0% over […]
Read MoreU.S. HOUSEHOLDS CUT SPENDING IN DECEMBER
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending fell by 0.2%, or $41.68 Billion, in December, after November was revised to a 0.1% decline. Personal income increased by 0.2%, or $49.5 Billion, in December, down from 0.3% in November. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1% in December and is up 5.0% from a year prior. […]
Read MoreU.S. RETAIL SALES FELL 1.1% IN DECEMBER, LARGEST DECLINE OF 2022
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, fell 1.1% in December from November. Consensus among economists was a 0.8% decline. December’s 1.1% decline comes after a November was revised down to a 1.0% loss. Retail sales fell three of the last four months, and December’s decline was the largest […]
Read MoreINFLATION SLOWED IN DECEMBER, PRICES UP 6.5% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% in December. CPI increased 6.5% from a year ago, down from 7.1% in November, and the lowest reading since October 2021. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the nineteenth straight month. The index for energy decreased 4.5% over the month while shelter increased […]
Read MoreCONSUMER SPENDING ROSE MODESTLY IN NOVEMBER
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.1%, or $19.8 Billion, in November, down from 0.9% in October. Personal income increased by 0.4%, or $80.1 Billion, in November, down from 0.7% in October. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1% in November and is up 5.5% from a year prior. The core personal […]
Read MoreBUILDER CONFIDENCE DECLINED EVERY MONTH IN 2022
Key Points U.S. builder confidence fell again in December as the combination of high mortgage rates, elevated construction costs, and diminishing consumer demand due to the elevated home prices have dragged builder sentiment down for the entirety of 2022. The NAHB Housing Market index declined to a reading of 31 this month from 33 in […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED IN NOVEMBER, PRICES UP 7.1% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in November. CPI increased 7.1% from a year ago, down from 7.7% in October, and the lowest reading since December 2021. Consensus among economists was a 7.3% increase. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the eighteenth straight month. The index for shelter was […]
Read MoreWHOLESALE PRICES ROSE 0.3% IN NOVEMBER, ABOVE EXPECTATIONS
Key Points: The Producer Price Index increased 0.3% in November from October. Consensus among economists was a 0.2% increase. The index rose 7.4% for the 12 months ended in November. Final demand prices moved up 0.4% in November, after increasing 0.1% in October. The index for final demand goods moved up 0.1% and final demand […]
Read MoreCONSUMER SPENDING SPIKED IN OCTOBER AS INFLATION EASED
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.8%, or $147.9 Billion, in October, up from 0.6% in September. Personal income increased by 0.7%, or $155.3 Billion, in October, up from 0.4% in September. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in October and is up 6.0% from a year prior. The core personal […]
Read MoreSHELTER, FOOD, AND GASOLINE LED OCTOBER’S INFLATION
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in October from September and is up 7.7% in the last year. The core CPI which excludes food and energy rose to 6.3% in October, down from 6.6% in September. The overall food index rose 10.9%, food at home rose 12.4%, and food away from home […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 2.8% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in October from September and is up 7.7% in the last year. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED IN OCTOBER, PRICES UP 7.7% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in October, the same reading as September. CPI increased 7.7% from a year ago, down from 8.2% in September. Consensus among economists was an 8.2% increase. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the seventeenth straight month. Shelter, food, and gasoline indexes increased over […]
Read MoreU.S. CONSUMERS INCREASED SPENDING IN SEPTEMBER, CORE PRICES UP 5.1%
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.6%, or $113.0 Billion, in September, the same reading as August. Personal income increased by 0.4%, or $78.9 Billion, in September, the same reading as July and August. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in September and is up 6.2% from a year prior. The […]
Read MoreBUILDER CONFIDENCE DOWN 10 STRAIGHT MONTHS
Key Points U.S. builder confidence fell again in October as the combination of rising interest rates, building material bottlenecks, and elevated home prices continue to weaken the housing market. The NAHB Housing Market index declined to a reading of 38 this month from 46 in September. This is the tenth consecutive month that builder sentiment […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 3.0% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in September from August and is up 8.2% in the last year. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real […]
Read MoreCORE INFLATION HITS NEW 4-DECADE HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in September from August and is up 8.2% in the last year. The core CPI which excludes food and energy rose to 6.6% in September, the highest rate since August 1982. The overall food index rose 11.2%, food at home rose 13.0%, and food away from […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED TO 8.2% IN SEPTEMBER, CORE INDEX REACHES NEW 4-DECADE HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in September after rising 0.1% in August. CPI increased 8.2% from a year ago, down from 8.3% in July. Consensus among economists was an 8.1% increase. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the sixteenth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and […]
Read MoreCONSUMERS BOOSTED SPENDING IN AUGUST AS INFLATION SPREADS
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.4%, or $67.5 Billion, in August, up from -0.2% in July. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $71.6 Billion, in August, the same reading as July. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in August and is up 6.2% from a year prior. The core personal […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 2.8% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in August from July and is up 8.3% in the last year. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real […]
Read MoreBUILDER CONFIDENCE UNDERWATER AFTER FALLING FOR NINTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH
Key Points U.S. builder confidence fell again in September as the combination of elevated interest rates, persistent building material supply chain disruptions and high home prices continue to take a toll on affordability, according to NAHB. The NAHB Housing Market index declined to a reading of 46 this month from 49 in August. This is […]
Read MoreU.S. INFLATION REMAINED HIGH IN AUGUST, PRICE INCREASES BROAD
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in August from July and is up 8.3% in the last year. The core CPI which excludes food and energy rose to 6.3% in August after holding at 5.9% in both June and July. The overall food index rose 11.4%, food at home rose 13.5%, and […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES ROSE 0.3% IN AUGUST
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.3% in August from July as inflation remained near its highest level in more than 40 years. Consensus among economists was no change. August’s 0.3% gain comes after July was revised down from 0.0% to -0.4%. Excluding autos, retail sales fell […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED TO 8.3% IN AUGUST, FOOD PRICES REMAIN AT 42-YEAR HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in August after being unchanged in July. CPI increased 8.3% from a year ago, down from 8.5% in July. Consensus among economists was an 8.1% increase. The rate of price increases remained above 5% for the fifteenth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and […]
Read MoreHOME-PRICE GROWTH SLOWED IN JUNE
Key Points: The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures average home prices in major metropolitan areas across the nation, rose 18% in the year that ended in June, down from 19.9% in the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted a 18.6% year-over-year gain, down from 20.5% in the previous month. The 10-City […]
Read MoreU.S. CONSUMERS SLOWED SPENDING IN JULY, INFLATION HISTORICALLY HIGH
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.1%, or $23.7 Billion, in July, down from 1.0% in June. Personal income increased by 0.2%, or $47.0 Billion, in July, down from 0.7% in June. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index fell 0.1% in July and is up 6.3% from a year prior. The core personal […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES FLAT IN JULY AS INFLATION SHIFTS CONSUMER SPENDING
Key Points: U.S. consumers shifted savings from falling gasoline prices to purchases of everyday goods as they weathered high inflation and a slowing economy in July. Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, was unchanged in July from June as inflation remained near its highest level in more than 40 years. […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES CONTINUE TO DECLINE, DOWN 3% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in July from June and is up 8.5% in the last year. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real […]
Read MoreJULY INFLATION HOLDS STEADY, FOOD AND ELECTRICITY RISE
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in July from June and is up 8.5% in the last year. Inflation was flat from June due to the falling costs of gasoline and the rising costs of food and electricity. The overall food index rose 10.9%, food at home rose 13.1%, and food away […]
Read MoreINFLATION COOLED IN JULY, REMAINS NEAR 40-YEAR HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in July after rising 1.3% in June. CPI increased 8.5% from a year ago, down from 9.1% in June, the highest reading since the period ending November 1981. Prices remained above 5% for the fourteenth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose […]
Read MoreNEW HOME SALES FELL TO 2-YEAR LOW IN JUNE
Key Points: New home sales fell 8.1% in June from May to a seasonally adjusted 590K. New home sales dropped in June to the lowest level since April 2020. May sales were also revised down to 642K from 696K. The volume of new single‐family home sale are down 17.4% from a year ago. The Right […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES CONTINUE TO DECLINE SINCE JANUARY 2021, DOWN 3.6% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real wages have trended down since January 2021. Real average hourly earnings have fallen from $33.27 in June 2021 to […]
Read MoreU.S. HOME PRICES HIT RECORD $416K IN JUNE, SALES CONTINUE TO SLIDE
Key Points: Existing-home sales fell for the fifth straight month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.12 million. Existing-home sales fell 5.4% in June from May and 14.2% from one year ago. At $416,000, the median existing-home sales price is the highest on record, after passing $400,000 for the first time in May. The […]
Read MoreINFLATION ACCELERATED TO 9.1% IN JUNE, LED BY GASOLINE
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.3% in June and is up 9.1% in the last year, the highest reading since 1981. Price increases in the last year have been broad, impacting businesses and consumers. The overall food index rose 10.4%, food at home rose 12.2%, and food away from home rose 7.7% […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES ROSE 1% IN JUNE AS PRICES REACH FOUR-DECADE HIGH
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose by 1.0% in June as inflation reached its highest level in more than 40 years. Consensus among economists was a 0.8% increase. June’s 1% gain comes after May was revised from -0.3% to -0.1%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 1.0% […]
Read MoreINFLATION HITS NEW 40-YEAR HIGH, UP 9.1% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.3% in June after rising 1.0% in May. CPI increased 9.1% from a year ago, the highest reading since the period ending November 1981. Prices remained above 5% for the thirteenth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.7% in June and is […]
Read MoreCONSUMER SPENDING SLOWED IN MAY
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $32.7 Billion, in May, down from 0.6% in April. Personal income increased by 0.5%, or $113.4 Billion, in May, the same reading as April. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.6% in May and is up 6.3% from a year prior. The core personal […]
Read MoreINFLATION UPTICK BEGAN BEFORE RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE
Key Points: Despite claims by the current administration that inflation is caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, dubbed the “Putin Price Hike”, which was used as recently as June 22, data show the rise in prices began much earlier. As the chart shows, there was an uptick in inflation starting in January of 2021, […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES FALL AS PRICES RISE
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, fell by 0.3% in May as inflation reached its highest level in more than 40 years. Consensus among economists was a 0.2% increase. May’s 0.3% decline comes after April was revised down to 0.7% from 0.9%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by […]
Read MoreFOOD AND ENERGY PUSHING INFLATION TO 40 YEAR HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.0% in May and is up 8.6% in the last year, the highest reading since 1981. Price increases in the last year have been broad, impacting businesses and consumers. The overall food index rose 10.1%, food at home rose 11.9%, and food away from home rose 7.4% […]
Read MoreAVERAGE GAS PRICES TOP $5 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
Key Points: The national average price of a gallon of gas has surpassed $5 for the first time ever. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $3.08 one year ago to $5.01 today. The price of gas has increased $0.15 in the last week, $0.58 in the last month, and […]
Read MoreINFLATION REACHES FOUR-DECADE HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.0% in May after rising 0.3% in April. CPI increased 8.6% from a year ago, the highest reading since December 1981. Prices remained above 5% for the twelfth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.6% in May and is up 6% from […]
Read MoreGAS PRICES HAVE DOUBLED SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE
Key Points: The national average price of a gallon of gas has consistently increased to the highest level on record at $4.87. Gas prices have doubled since Biden was inaugurated on Jan 20, 2021 when gas prices were $2.39. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $3.05 one year ago […]
Read MoreSPENDING ROSE IN APRIL DESPITE HIGH INFLATION
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.9%, or $152.3 Billion, in April. Personal income increased by 0.4%, or $89.3 Billion, in April. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.2% in April and is up 6.3% from a year prior. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, rose […]
Read MoreGAS PRICES BREAK RECORD HIGHS FOR PAST 11 DAYS
Key Points: The national average price of a gallon of gas has increased to the highest level on record for the 11th consecutive day to $4.59. For the first time ever, every state has gas prices above $4. Gas prices have hit new record highs every day since May 9th. This recent trend comes after […]
Read MoreBUILDER CONFIDENCE PLUNGES IN MAY
Key Points U.S. builder confidence fell in May due to rapidly rising interest rates combined with the ongoing home price increases and construction costs, according to NAHB. The NAHB Housing Market index declined to a reading of 69 this month from 77 in April. This is the fifth consecutive month that builder sentiment has declined […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES RISE IN APRIL DESPITE RECORD INFLATION
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose by 0.9% in April for the fourth straight month, as inflation held close to its highest level in 40 years. Consensus among economists was a 0.7% increase. April’s 0.9% increase comes after March’s revised 1.4% increase. Excluding autos, retail sales rose […]
Read MoreINFLATION REMAINS HIGH IN APRIL, LED BY FOOD AND ENERGY
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.3% in April and is up 8.3% in the last year, down slightly from March’s 8.5%, the highest rate since 1982. Price increases in the last year have been broad, impacting businesses and consumers. The overall food index rose 9.4%, food at home rose 10.8%, and food […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED SLIGHTLY IN APRIL
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.3% in April after rising 1.2% in March. CPI increased 8.3% from a year ago, down from 8.5% in the year ending in March. Prices remained above 5% for the eleventh straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.6% in April and is […]
Read MoreSPENDING, INCOME, AND PRICES ROSE IN MARCH
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 1.1%, or $185.0 Billion, in March. Personal income increased by 0.5%, or $107.2 Billion, in March. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.9% in March and is up 6.6% from a year prior. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, rose […]
Read MoreHOME PRICES INCREASED 19.8% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Home-price growth slowed slightly in September as sky-high prices deterred some buyers. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures average home prices in major metropolitan areas across the nation, rose 19.8% in the year that ended in February, up from 19.1% in the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted a […]
Read MoreU.S. HOME PRICES REACHED RECORD HIGH IN MARCH
Key Points U.S. home prices reached a record $375,300 in March as mortgage-interest rates rose and the shortage of homes for sale continued. Existing-home sales fell 2.7% in March from February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.77 million, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. Existing-home sales fell 4.5% in March from a […]
Read MoreU.S. HOMEBUILDER CONFIDENCE CONTINUES TO FALL
Key Points U.S. homebuilder confidence fell in April due to rapidly rising interest rates combined with the ongoing home price increases and construction costs, according to NAHB. The NAHB Housing Market index declined to a reading of 77 this month from 79 in March. This is the fourth consecutive month that builder sentiment has declined. […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES CONTINUE TO DECLINE SINCE JANUARY 2021
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real wages have trended down since January 2021. Real average hourly earnings have fallen from $32.63 in March 2021 to […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES MISS EXPECTATIONS
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose by 0.5% in March over the month. Consensus among economists was a 0.6% increase. March’s 0.5% increase comes after February’s revised 0.8% increase. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 1.1% over the month. Spending slowed in part due to rising costs […]
Read MoreINFLATION ACCELERATED IN MARCH, HITS NEW 40 YEAR HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.2% in March after rising 0.8% in February. CPI increased 8.5% from a year ago, the highest reading in 40 years. Prices remained above 5% for the tenth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3% in March and is up 6.5% from […]
Read MoreHOME SALES ROSE 19.2% IN JANUARY, INVENTORY REMAINS NEAR ALL-TIME LOWS
Key Points: Home-price growth accelerated in January as the supply of homes for sale fell to a new low. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures average home prices in major metropolitan areas across the nation, rose 19.2% in the year that ended in January, up from 18.9% in the previous month. […]
Read MoreSPENDING ROSE 0.2% IN FEBRUARY, PRICES ROSE 0.6%
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $34.9 Billion, in February. Personal income increased by 0.5%, or $101.5 Billion, in January. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.6% in February and is up 6.4% from a year prior. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, rose […]
Read MoreU.S. GAS PRICES REMAIN HIGH, CALIFORNIA PRICES ACCELERATING
Key Points: While the national average gas price is down from the record set on 3/11, California continues to set records. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $2.88 one year ago to $4.17 today. In California, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $3.88 one […]
Read MoreUP IN FLAMES: THE BIDEN EFFECT ON GAS PRICES
Key Points: Gas prices were stable or trending down during the Trump Administration. However, new upward trend emerged following Biden’s inauguration. The cancelation of the Keystone XL pipeline is one example of a Biden policy that raised gas prices.
Read MoreRETAIL SALES SLOWED IN FEBRUARY
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose by 0.3% in February over the month. Consensus among economists was a 0.4% increase. February’s 0.3% increase comes after January’s revised 4.9% increase. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.2% over the month. Spending slowed in part due to rising costs […]
Read MoreINFLATION REMAINS HIGH ACROSS THE SPECTRUM
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.8% in February and is up 7.9% in the last year, the highest rate since 1982. Price increases in the last year have been broad, impacting businesses and consumers. The food at home index rose 8.6% over the past 12 months. The largest increase in food was […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES: SINCE JANUARY 2021, IN DECLINE
Key Points: Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work. Despite trending up between January 2017 and January 2021, real wages have trended down since January 2021. Real average hourly earnings have fallen from $32.16 in February 2021 to […]
Read MoreINFLATION REACHED A NEW 40-YEAR HIGH IN FEBRUARY
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.8% in February after rising 0.6% in January. CPI increased 7.9% from a year ago, the highest reading in 40 years. Prices remained above 5% for the ninth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.6% in February and is up 6.4% from […]
Read MoreGAS PRICES HIT HIGHEST ON RECORD
Key Points: The national average price of a gallon of gas has increased to the highest level on record. Today’s $4.17 has surpassed the all-time U.S. average record of $4.11 from July 2008. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $2.77 one year ago to $4.17 today. The price of […]
Read MoreGAS PRICES SOAR, UP $1 FROM A YEAR AGO
Key Points: Gas prices across the country continue to increase. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $2.73 one year ago to $3.73 today. The price of gas has increased $0.32 in the last month, $0.19 in the last week, and $0.07 since yesterday. Currently, every states has gas prices […]
Read MoreSPENDING AND PRICES ROSE IN JANUARY, INCOME FLAT
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 2.1%, or $337.2 Billion, in January. Personal income increased less than 0.1%, or $9.0 Billion, in January. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.6% in January and is up 6.1% from a year prior. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, […]
Read MoreSTRIKING THE MATCH: INFLATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Key Points: As the chart shows, there was an uptick in inflation in January of 2021, when election results gave Democrats control of the Senate. This reflected growing anticipation, by market participants, of the inflationary effects of the agenda that Democrats were likely to pass. There was then an acceleration when Democrats implemented their legislative […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES REBOUND IN JANUARY AFTER FALLING IN DECEMBER
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose by 3.8% in January over the month. Consensus among economists was a 2.0% increase. January’s 3.8% increase comes after December’s revised 2.5% decrease. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 3.3% over the month. Spending slowed in part due to rising costs […]
Read MoreINFLATION INCREASING PRICES ACROSS THE SPECTRUM
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.6% in January and is up 7.5% in the last year, the highest rate since 1982. Price increases in the last year have been broad, impacting businesses and consumers. The food at home index rose 7.4% over the past 12 months. The largest increase in food was […]
Read MoreINFLATION REMAINS AT 40-YEAR HIGH, UP 7.5% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.6% in January after rising 0.5% in December. CPI increased 7.5% from a year ago, the highest reading in 40 years. Prices remained above 5% for the eighth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.6% in January and is up 6.0% from […]
Read MoreGAS PRICES HIGHEST IN 8 YEARS
Key Points: Gas prices across the country continue to increase. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $2.47 one year ago to $3.46 today. The price of gas has increased $0.16 in the last month and $0.08 in the last week. Gas prices have not been this high since 2014. […]
Read MoreCONSUMER SPENDING FELL AS PRICES ROSE IN DECEMBER
Key Points: U.S. consumer spending fell by $95.2 billion or 0.6% in December. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or by $70.7 Billion, in December. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.4% in December and is up 5.8% from a year prior. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, […]
Read MoreHOME SALES FELL IN DECEMBER, PRICES UP 18.8% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Home-price growth slowed slightly in September as sky-high prices deterred some buyers. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures average home prices in major metropolitan areas across the nation, rose 18.8% in the year that ended in November, down from 19.0% in the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted an […]
Read MoreGAS PRICES REMAIN HIGH AMID INFLATION
Key Points: Gas prices across the country continue to increase. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $2.40 one year ago to $3.33 today. Inflation has severely impacted energy costs, which are up 29.3% in 2021 alone, led by gasoline which increased by 49.6% in 2021. California has the highest […]
Read MoreINFLATION SOARED IN 2021
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.5% in December and is up 7.0% in the last year, the highest rate since 1982. Price increases in the last year have been broad, impacting businesses and consumers. The food at home index rose 6.5% over the past 12 months. The largest increase in food was […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES FELL BY 1.9% IN DECEMBER
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, fell by 1.9% in December over the month. Consensus among economists was a 0.1% decline. November’s retail sales were revised down to a 0.2% increase. Excluding autos, retail sales fell by 2.3% over the month. Spending slowed in part due to rising […]
Read MoreINFLATION HITS 40 YEAR HIGH
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.5% in December after rising 0.8% in November. CPI increased 7.0% from a year ago, the highest reading in 40 years. Prices remained above 5% for the seventh straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.6% in December and is up 5.5% from […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES RISE BY 0.3% IN NOVEMBER, MISSING EXPECTATIONS
Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose by 0.3% in November over the month. Consensus among economists was a 0.8% increase. November’s 0.3% increase was far below October’s 1.8% increase. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.3% over the month. Spending slowed in part due to rising costs […]
Read MoreTHE FED’S FAILURE TO PROJECT INFLATION
Key Points: For the last decade, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has set itself an inflation target of 2% — a goal it has extraordinary power to control. Yet, year after year, the FOMC has never successfully delivered on that target. In December of 2020, the FOMC projected inflation would be 1.8%. After Congress […]
Read MoreINFLATION HIT 39-YEAR HIGH IN NOVEMBER
Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.8% in November after rising 0.9% in October. CPI increased 6.8% from a year ago, the highest reading in 39 years. Prices remained above 5% for the sixth straight month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.5% in November and is up 4.9% from […]
Read MoreHOME PRICES DECELERATED IN SEPTEMBER, STILL UP 19.5% IN LAST YEAR
Key Points: Home-price growth slowed slightly in September as sky-high prices deterred some buyers. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures average home prices in major metropolitan areas across the nation, rose 19.5% in the year that ended in September, down from 19.8% in the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted a […]
Read MoreTHANSKGIVING DINNER COSTS 14% MORE THAN LAST YEAR
Key Points: A survey from the Farm Bureau indicates the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $53.31. This is a 14% increase from last year’s average of $46.90. The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables, the turkey, costs 24% more than last year at $23.99 for a 16-pound bird. Prices have […]
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