Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.4% in October, down from 0.8% increase in September. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by just 0.1% over the month. Retail sales were 2.8% above October 2023 but CPI data released earlier this month showed prices have increased 2.6% in the […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in October from September and is up 2.6% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in October, the same reading as the three previous months. CPI increased 2.6% from a year ago, up from 2.4% in September, and in line with consensus. The index for shelter rose 0.4%, the index for food rose 0.2%, and the energy index was unchanged over […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.5%, or $105.8 billion, in September, up from 0.3% in August. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $71.6 billion, in September, after rising 0.2% in August. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.2% in September and is up 2.1% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.4% in September, up from 0.1% increase in August. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by just 0.5% over the month. Retail sales were 1.7% above September 2023 but CPI data released earlier this month showed prices have increased 2.4% in the […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in September from August and is up 2.4% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in September, the same reading as August. CPI increased 2.4% from a year ago, down from 2.5% in August, but above consensus of 2.3%. The index for shelter rose 0.3%, the index for food rose 0.4%, and the energy index fell by 1.9%. The index for […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $47.2 billion, in August, down from 0.5% in July. Personal income increased by 0.2%, or $50.5 billion, in July, after rising 0.3% in July. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1% in August and is up 2.2% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.1% in August, far below July’s 1.1% increase. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by just 0.1% over the month. Retail sales were 2.1% above August 2023 but CPI data released earlier this month showed prices have increased 2.5% in the last […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in August from July and is up 2.5% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in August, the same reading as July. CPI increased 2.5% from a year ago, down from 2.9% in July and consensus of 2.6%. The index for shelter rose 0.5%, the index for food rose 0.1%, and the energy index fell by 0.8%. The index for food […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.5%, or $103.8 billion, in July, up from 0.3% in June. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $75.1 billion, in July, after rising 0.2% in June. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.2% in July and is up 2.5% from a year prior. The core personal […]

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 5.4% in the year that ended in June. The 20-City Composite posted a year-over-year increase of 6.5%, down from a 6.9% increase in the previous month. The 10-City Composite showed an increase […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 1.0% in July, above consensus of a 0.3% increase. June was revised down from 0.0% to -0.2%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.4% over the month. Retail sales were 2.7% above July 2023 but CPI data released earlier this month […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in July from June and is up 2.9% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in July after falling 0.1% in June. CPI increased 2.9% from a year ago, down from 3.0% in June and consensus of 3.0%. This is the first time CPI has come in below 3% since March 2021. The index for shelter rose 0.4%, the index for […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.3%, or $57.6 billion, in June, down from 0.4% in May. Personal income increased by 0.2%, or $50.4 billion, in June, after rising 0.4% in May. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1% in June and is up 2.5% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, were unchanged in June, below consensus of a 0.2% increase. May was revised up from 0.1% to 0.3%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.4% over the month. Retail sales were 2.3% above June 2023 but CPI data released earlier this month […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% in June from May and is up 3.0% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% in June, after no change in May. CPI increased 3.0% from a year ago, down from 3.3% in May and consensus of 3.1%. CPI has remained above 3% for 39 consecutive months dating back to April 2021. The index for shelter rose 0.2% and the energy […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $47.8 billion, in May, up from 0.1% in April. Personal income increased by 0.5%, or $114.1 billion, in May, after rising 0.3% in April. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index was unchanged in May and is up 2.6% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose just 0.1% in May, below consensus of 0.2%. March was revised down from 0.0% to -0.2%. Excluding autos, retail sales fell by 0.1% over the month, the same reading as the April revisions. Retail sales were 2.3% above May 2023 but […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in May from April and is up 3.3% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in May, after rising 0.3% in April. CPI increased 3.3% from a year ago, down from 3.4% in April and consensus of 3.4%. CPI has remained above 3% for 38 consecutive months dating back to April 2021. The index for shelter rose 0.4% and the energy […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $39.1 billion, in April, down from 0.7% in March. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $65.3 billion, in April, after rising 0.5% in March. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in April and is up 2.7% from a year prior, the same readings […]

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 6.5% in the year that ended in March, the same reading as February. The 20-City Composite posted a year-over-year increase of 7.4%, up from a 7.3% increase in the previous month. The […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in April from March and is up 3.4% […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, were unchanged in April, well below consensus of 0.4%. March was revised down from 0.7% to 0.6%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.2% over the month, down from the revised 0.9% gain in March. Retail sales were 3.0% above April 2023 […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in April, after rising 0.4% in March. CPI increased 3.4% from a year ago, down from 3.5% in February and consensus of 3.5%. CPI has remained above 3% for 37 consecutive months dating back to April 2021. The index for shelter rose 0.4% and the energy […]

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 6.4% in the year that ended in February, up from 6.0% in January. The 20-City Composite posted a year-over-year increase of 7.3%, up from a 6.6% increase in the previous month. The […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.8%, or $160.9 billion, in March, the same reading as February. Personal income increased by 0.5%, or $122.0 billion, in March, after rising 0.3% in February. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in March and is up 2.7% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.7% in March from February, well above consensus of 0.3%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 1.1% over the month, well above expectations of 0.4%. Retail sales were 4.0% above March 2023 but CPI data released earlier this month showed prices […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in March from February and is up 3.5% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in March, the same reading as February. CPI increased 3.5% from a year ago, up from 3.2% in February, and above consensus of 3.4%. The index for shelter rose 0.4% and the energy index rose 1.1% over the month. The index for food at home was […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.8%, or $145.5 billion, in February, after rising 0.2% in January. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $66.5 billion, in February, after rising 1.0% in January. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in February and is up 2.5% from a year prior. The core personal […]

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 6.0% in the year that ended in January after rising 5.6% in December. The 20-City Composite posted a year-over-year increase of 6.6%, up from a 6.2% increase in the previous month. The […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.6% in February from January, below consensus of 0.8%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.3% over the month, below expectations of 0.4%. Retail sales were 1.5% above February 2023 but CPI data released earlier this month showing prices have increased […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February from January and is up 3.2% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February after rising 0.3% in January. CPI increased 3.2% from a year ago, up from 3.1% in January, and above consensus of 3.1%. The index for shelter rose 0.4% and the energy index rose 2.3% over the month. The index for food at home was […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $43.9 billion, in January, after rising 0.7% in December. Personal income increased by 1.0%, or $233.7 billion, in January, after rising 0.3% in December. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in January and is up 2.4% from a year prior. The core personal […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in January from December and is up 3.1% […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, fell 0.8% in January from December after increased spending for the holiday season. The change for December was revised down from a 0.6% gain to 0.4%. Excluding autos, retail sales fell by 0.6% over the month. Retail sales are not adjusted for […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in January after rising 0.2% in December. CPI increased 3.1% from a year ago, down from 3.4% in December, but above consensus of 2.9%. The index for shelter rose 0.6%, the index for food rose 0.4%, and the energy index fell 0.9% over the month. The […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.7%, or $133.9 billion, in December, after rising 0.4% in November. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $60.0 billion, in December, after rising 0.4% in November. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.2% in December and is up 2.6% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Existing-home sales fell 1.0% in December from November, after rising in November, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.78 million. On an annual basis, existing-home sales (4.09 million) dropped to the lowest level since 1995, while the median price reached a record high of $389,800 in 2023. Existing-home sales fell 6.2% from […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.6% in December from November due to an increase in spending for the holiday season. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.4% over the month. Retail sales were 5.6% above November 2022, above CPI data released earlier this month showing prices […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in December from November and is up 3.4% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in December after rising 0.1% in November. CPI increased 3.4% from a year ago, up from 3.1% in November. The index for shelter rose 0.5%, the energy index rose 0.4%, and the index for food rose 0.2% over the month. The index for food at home […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in November from October and is up 3.1% […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.3% in November from October due to an increase in spending for the holiday season. The change in October from September was revised down to -0.2%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.2% over the month. Retail sales were 4.1% above […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in November after no change in October. CPI increased 3.1% from a year ago, down from 3.2% in October. The index for shelter continued to rise in November, offsetting a decline in the gasoline index. The index for shelter rose 0.4% and the index for food […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2%, or $41.2 billion, in October, after rising 0.7% in September. Personal income increased by 0.2%, or $57.1 billion, in October, after rising 0.4% in September. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index was unchanged in October and is up 3.0% from a year prior. The core personal […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in October from September and is up 3.2% […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, fell 0.1% in October from September. This was the first monthly decline since March. The August to September percent change was revised up to 0.9% from 0.7%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.1% over the month. Retail sales were 2.5% above […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in October after rising 0.4% in September. CPI increased 3.2% from a year ago, down from 3.7% in September. The index for shelter continued to rise in October, offsetting a decline in the gasoline index and resulting in the overall index being unchanged over the month. […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.7% in September from August for the sixth consecutive month. Consensus among economists was a 0.3% increase. The July to August percent change was revised up to 0.8% from 0.6%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.6% over the month. Retail […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in September from August and is up 3.7% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in September after rising 0.6% in August. CPI increased 3.7% from a year ago, the same reading as August. The index for energy rose 1.5% over the month, food rose 0.2%, and shelter increased by 0.6%. The index for food at home increased 0.1% over the […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.4%, or $83.6 billion, in August, after rising 0.9% in July. Personal income increased by 0.4%, or $87.6 billion, in August, after rising 0.2% in July. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.4% in August and is up 3.5% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Existing-home sales fell 0.7% in August from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.04 million. Existing-home sales fell 15.3% from one year ago. The median existing-home sales price for August rose 3.9% from one year ago to $407,100. This is the fifth time the monthly median sales prices eclipsed $400,000 and […]

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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6% in August from July and is up 3.7% […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6% in August after rising 0.2% in July. CPI increased 3.7% from a year ago, up from 3.2% in July. The index for energy rose 5.6% over the month, food rose 0.2%, and shelter increased by 0.3%. This marks the 40th consecutive month of increases in the […]

Key Points: Gas prices climbed to an average of $3.81 a gallon nationally over Labor Day weekend, $0.02 higher than last year, and near the all-time Labor Day record of $3.84. Diesel prices have jumped $0.27 in the last month. 16 States and D.C. have prices above the U.S. average and 34 states have lower […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.8%, or $144.6 billion, in July, after rising 0.6% in June. Personal income increased by 0.2%, or $45.0 billion, in July, after rising 0.3% in June. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.2% in July and is up 3.3% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Gas prices climbed to an average of $3.88 a gallon nationally this week, a 10-month high. Gas prices have increased by $0.31 in the last month alone. The highest gas prices are in California ($5.09), Washington ($5.01), Hawaii ($4.77), Oregon ($4.67), Alaska ($4.46), Nevada ($4.34), Utah ($4.09), Illinois ($4.05), and Idaho ($4.05). The […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.7% in July from June. Consensus among economists was a 0.4% increase. The May to June percent change was revised up to 0.3% from 0.2%. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 1.0% over the month. Retail sales were 3.2% above July […]

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 and lower inflation readings recently, wages are still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in July from […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in July from June and is up 3.2% in the last year. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% in July and is up 4.7% from the previous year. The overall food index rose 4.9%, food at home rose 3.2%, and food away […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in July, the same reading as June. CPI increased 3.2% from a year ago, up from 3.0% in June, and the first increase since June 2022. The index for energy rose 0.1% over the month, food rose 0.2%, and shelter increased by 0.4% over the month. […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.5%, or $100.4 billion, in June, after rising 0.2% in May. Personal income increased by 0.3%, or $69.5 billion, in June, after rising 0.5% in May. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.2% in June and is up 3.0% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.2% in June from May. Consensus among economists was a 0.5% increase. The April to May percent change was revised up to 0.5% from 0.3%. Excluding autos, retail sales also rose by 0.2% over the month. Retail sales were 1.5% above […]

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 0.2% in June from May and is up 3.0% in […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in June after rising 0.1% in May. CPI increased 3.0% from a year ago, down from 4.0% in May, and the lowest reading since March 2021. CPI has slowed from the peak one year ago when prices were up 9.1% in June 2022. The index for […]

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.1%, or $18.9 Billion, in May, after rising 0.6% in April. Personal income increased by 0.4%, or $91.2 Billion, in May, after rising 0.3% in April. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1% in May and is up 3.8% from a year prior. The core personal […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for goods and services. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in May and increased 4.0% from a year ago. While this appears to be a slowdown from the peak of 9.1% in […]

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 0.1% in May from April and is up 4.0% in […]

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose 0.3% in May from April after rising 0.4% in May. Consumers spent more at most categories of retailers, including grocery, furniture and electronics stores. Excluding autos, retail sales also rose by 0.4% over the month. Retail sales were 1.6% above May […]

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in May after rising 0.4% in April. CPI increased 4.0% from a year ago, down from 4.9% in April, and the lowest reading since April 2021. The index for energy decreased 3.6% over the month, food rose 0.2%, and shelter increased by 0.6% over the month. […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]