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INFLATION 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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CONSUMER 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 […]

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INFLATION 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, […]

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RETAIL 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 […]

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FOOD 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% […]

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AVERAGE 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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GAS 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 […]

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SPENDING 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 […]

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GAS 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 […]

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BUILDER 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 […]

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RETAIL 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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SPENDING, 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 […]

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HOME 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 […]

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U.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 […]

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U.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. […]

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REAL 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 […]

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RETAIL 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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SPENDING 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 […]

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RETAIL 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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REAL 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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GAS 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 […]

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GAS 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 […]

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SPENDING 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, […]

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STRIKING 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 […]

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RETAIL 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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GAS 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. […]

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CONSUMER 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, […]

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HOME 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 […]

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GAS 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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RETAIL 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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RETAIL 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 […]

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THE 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 […]

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INFLATION 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 […]

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THANSKGIVING 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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CONSUMER SPENDING, INCOME, AND PRICES ROSE IN OCTOBER

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 1.3% in October, beating economists’ expectations of 0.9%. Personal income increased by 0.5%, or by $93.4 Billion, in October. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.6% in October and is up 5.0% from a year prior. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food […]

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GAS PRICES ARE $1.30 HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR

Key Points: Gas prices across the country continue to increase. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $2.11 one year ago to $3.42 today. The price has increased $0.16 in the last month alone. California has the highest price at $4.63, followed by Hawaii at $4.34. Oklahoma has the lowest […]

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CONSUMER SPENDING SLOWED IN SEPTEMBER, INCOME FELL

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.6% in September, beating economists’ expectations of 0.5%. Personal income decreased by 1.0%, or by $216.2 Billion, in September. The decrease in personal income in September primarily reflected a decrease in government social benefits. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in September and is up […]

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HOUSE PRICES ROSE 1% IN AUGUST, UP 18.5% IN LAST YEAR

Key Points: House prices rose nationwide in August, up 1.0% from the previous month. House prices rose 18.5% from August 2020 to August 2021. The 1.0% increase in August marks the 15th consecutive month of increases. Rising home prices are pushing some buyers out of the market. While existing home sales rose 7% in September, […]

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RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 0.7% IN SEPTEMBER

Key Points: Retail sales, a measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, rose by 0.7% in September over the month. Consensus among economists was a 0.2% decline. Excluding autos, retail sales rose by 0.8% over the month. Higher spending in part reflects rising costs because consumer prices advanced 0.4% in September from August and […]

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CONSUMER PRICES INCREASED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.4% in September after rising 0.3% in August. CPI increased 5.4% from a year ago, the same reading as July and the largest 12-month increase since August 2008. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% in September and is up 4.0% from the previous […]

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GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE, UP $1.06 IN LAST YEAR

Key Points: Gas prices across the country continue to increase. Overall, the price of a gallon of regular gas has increased from $2.18 one year ago to $3.24 today. The price has increased $0.05 in the last week alone. California has the highest price at $4.43, followed by Hawaii at $4.12, and Washington at $3.85. […]

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CONSUMER SPENDING AND INCOME ROSE IN AUGUST, PRICES REMAIN HIGH

Key Points: U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.8% in August, beating economists’ expectations. Personal income increased by 0.2%, or by $35.5 Billion, in August. The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.4% in August and is up 4.3% from a year prior. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, […]

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INFLATION INCREASING COSTS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.3% in August and is up 5.3% in the last year. Price increases in the last year have been broad, impacting businesses and consumers. The food at home index rose 3.0% over the past 12 months. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased […]

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INFLATION EASED IN AUGUST, PRICES REMAIN HIGH

Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.3% in August after rising 0.5% in July. CPI increased 5.3% from a year ago, down slightly from July’s 5.4% reading. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.1% in August and is up 4.0% from the previous year. The energy index rose 2.0% and […]

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CONSUMER PRICES UP 0.5% IN JULY, 5.4% IN LAST YEAR

!function(e,i,n,s){var t=”InfogramEmbeds”,d=e.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement(“script”);o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src=”https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed-loader-min.js”,d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,”infogram-async”); Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.5% in July after rising 0.9% in June. This was the largest 1-month change since June 2008 when the index rose 1.0%. CPI increased 5.4% from a year ago, the same reading as June and the largest 12-month increase since August 2008. The […]

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CONSUMER PRICES RISE 0.9% IN JUNE, UP 5.4% FROM A YEAR AGO

!function(e,i,n,s){var t=”InfogramEmbeds”,d=e.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement(“script”);o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src=”https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed-loader-min.js”,d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,”infogram-async”); Key Points: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.9% in June after rising 0.6% in May. This was the largest 1-month change since June 2008 when the index rose 1.0%. CPI increased 5.4% from a year ago, the largest 12-month increase since August 2008. Used cars and trucks rose 10.5% in […]

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CONSUMER PRICES UP 4.2% YEAR-OVER-YEAR

!function(e,i,n,s){var t=”InfogramEmbeds”,d=e.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement(“script”);o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src=”https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed-loader-min.js”,d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,”infogram-async”); Key Points: The Labor department reported its consumer price index jumped 0.8% in April from March. Consensus among economists was 0.2% increase. CPI has increased 4.2% from the previous year, the highest 12 month increase since the summer of 2008. Used autos surged 10% in April from March, the highest monthly […]

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