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Traders are looking to the earnings reports of tech giants, like Apple and Amazon, to see how consumers are feeling and spending.
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Why inflation hits harder, depending on who you are

Apr 25, 2022
People who spend a bigger chunk of their budget on gas and groceries are disproportionately impacted by rising prices.
We all have our own personal inflation rate, depending on what we buy. Above, a shopper at a grocery store in Los Angeles.
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Could Netflix queue up a hint on how inflation can alter our behavior?

We spoke to Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, for some insight.
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Many Americans are still concerned about getting COVID-19

Apr 7, 2022
But that's not stopping many consumers from getting out to restaurants or shopping malls.
Polling data shows that while Americans have become a lot more comfortable going out in public, COVID-19 worries still have an effect on the economy.
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If consumer sentiment is down, why has consumer spending remained strong?

Mar 11, 2022
Wage growth, low unemployment and pent-up demand when COVID case counts decline may help explain the disconnect.
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Inflation's already increasing the cost of goods. The cost of services could be next.

Feb 22, 2022
The services sector has been feeling the pinch of higher costs, particularly when it comes to wages.
Wages for workers in service industries like catering and child care have gone up in the tight labor market.
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Forget stagflation. Retail sales point to a "boomflation" economy.

Feb 16, 2022
The monthly gauge rose 3.8%, showing that Americans are eager to shop despite inflation. It could further push the Fed to hike rates.
People are eager to shop, despite inflation and gloomy views of the economy.
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For public good, not for profit.

Consumers are on an inflation expectations roller coaster

Feb 14, 2022
Even though sentiment has tanked, a New York Fed survey finds that consumers expect inflation to ease in the future.
Consumers are feeling the pinch of inflation pretty much any time they open their pocketbooks — but they're optimistic that price gains will ease in the coming years.
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Consumer sentiment is down. Will consumer spending follow?

Feb 14, 2022
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index is at a 10-year low. But consumer demand and savings remain high.
The job market is booming. Wages are rising. And yet for the past few months now, consumers have been feeling worse and worse about their finances and the state of the U.S. economy.
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Amazon's brick-and-mortar clothing store? All about the algorithm

Jan 21, 2022
The online retailer has been experimenting with physical locations for several years now.
Amazon already has brick-and-mortar stores, including for books and groceries. Now, it's looking to clothing.
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