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 […]
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REAL WAGES STILL DOWN 2.5% 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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in March from February and is up 3.5% […]
Read MoreINFLATION TICKS UP IN MARCH, CORE PRICES REMAIN HIGH
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 […]
Read MoreCONSUMERS SPENDING MORE, MAKING LESS
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 […]
Read MoreHOUSING PRICES CONTINUE TO TREND UPWARD
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 […]
Read MoreU.S. RETAIL SALES ROSE IN FEBRUARY BUT MISSED EXPECTATIONS
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 2.5% 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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February from January and is up 3.2% […]
Read MoreINFLATION RISES TO 3.2%, ABOVE EXPECTATIONS
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 […]
Read MoreFED’S PREFERRED INFLATION GAUGE TICKED UP IN JANUARY
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 2.1% 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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in January from December and is up 3.1% […]
Read MoreU.S. SHOPPERS CUT BACK IN JANUARY
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 […]
Read MoreINFLATION HIGHER THAN EXPECTED IN JANUARY, PRICES UP 3.1% IN LAST YEAR
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 […]
Read MoreINFLATION REMAINS MODERATE WHILE CONSUMERS KEEP SPENDING
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 […]
Read More2023 HOME SALES LOWEST SINCE 1995
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 […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES JUMP IN DECEMBER AMID STRONG HOLIDAY SEASON
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 2.6% 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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in December from November and is up 3.4% […]
Read MoreINFLATION ROSE IN DECEMBER AFTER COOLING MOST OF 2023
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES STILL DOWN 2.8% 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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in November from October and is up 3.1% […]
Read MoreU.S. RETAIL SALES REBOUND IN NOVEMBER AMID HOLIDAY SEASON
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 […]
Read MoreINFLATION REMAINS STUBBORNLY HIGH IN NOVEMBER
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 […]
Read MoreCONSUMERS PULLED BACK ON SPENDING IN OCTOBER
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in October from September and is up 3.2% […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES FELL IN OCTOBER FOR FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH
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 […]
Read MorePRICES UNCHANGED IN OCTOBER, CORE PRICES REMAIN HIGH
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. […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES ROSE FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE 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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES DOWN 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 still down after adjusting for inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in September from August and is up 3.7% […]
Read MorePRICES ROSE MORE THAN EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER
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 […]
Read MorePRICES ROSE IN AUGUST, CONSUMER SPENDING SLOWED
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 […]
Read MoreAUGUST HOME SALES CONTINUE DECLINE, PRICES REMAIN AT RECORD HIGHS
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES DOWN 3.1% UNDER BIDEN ADMIN
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% […]
Read MoreINFLATION ACCELERATED IN AUGUST
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 […]
Read MoreLABOR DAY GAS PRICES NEAR ALL-TIME HIGH
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 […]
Read MoreU.S. CONSUMER SPENDING JUMPED IN JULY, INCOME GAINS REMAIN LOW
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 […]
Read MoreGAS PRICES HIT 10-MONTH HIGH
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 […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES ROSE 0.7% IN JULY, CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR MIRRORS INFLATION
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES STILL DOWN UNDER BIDEN DESPITE SLOWING INFLATION
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 […]
Read MoreINFLATION REMAINS BROAD, DESPITE DECLINES IN ENERGY PRICES
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 […]
Read MoreINFLATION INCREASED IN JULY AFTER YEARLONG SLOWDOWN
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. […]
Read MoreU.S. CONSUMER SPENDING INCREASED IN JUNE
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 […]
Read MoreRETAIL SALES MISS EXPECTATIONS DESPITE SLOWING INFLATION
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES DOWN 3% SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE
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 […]
Read MoreINFLATION EASED TO 3% IN JUNE
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 […]
Read MoreCONSUMER SPENDING STALLED IN MAY
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 […]
Read MoreDON’T BE FOOLED BY ANNUAL CHANGE IN INFLATION, PRICES ARE UP 15.5% UNDER BIDEN
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 […]
Read MoreREAL WAGES HAVE FALLEN 3.2% 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 0.1% in May from April and is up 4.0% in […]
Read MoreCONSUMER SPENDING ROSE 0.3% IN MAY
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 […]
Read MoreINFLATION CUT IN HALF FROM LAST YEAR’S PEAK, CORE PRICES STILL HIGH
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. […]
Read MoreCONSUMER SPENDING JUMPS IN APRIL, PRICES REMAIN ELEVATED
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 […]
Read MoreYOUR 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 […]
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