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The price of gasoline is down, but just about everything else is still getting more expensive

Sep 13, 2022
Fresh consumer price index data pretty much guarantees a big interest rate hike when the Federal Reserve meets next week.
The cost of gasoline fell by more than 10.5% in August, according to the Department of Labor's consumer price index. But just about everything else was more expensive.
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Fed’s hawkish stance on inflation brings pain to marginalized communities, economist says

Michelle Holder expects Black and Latinx workers to lose jobs in higher proportion as interest rates rise and the economy cools.
Federal Reserve policies that increase interest rates and chill economic growth are aimed at bringing down inflation, but they can also put stress on households and businesses. Above, the headquarters of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
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How a stronger dollar weakens economies abroad

Sep 8, 2022
Countries that import commodities priced in U.S. dollars, like oil, are paying a lot more. So are nations that have dollar-denominated loans.
If the value of the dollar climbs against a currency like the Mexican peso, Mexico's debt payments increase.
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The superheated housing market is finally cooling down

Aug 19, 2022
Higher home prices and the Federal Reserve's efforts to curb inflation are responsible for much of the slowing market.
The housing market cooldown comes after two banner years during the pandemic when demand went through the roof and prices rose by double digits.
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How relevant are Federal Reserve meeting notes in a changing economy?

Aug 17, 2022
Inflation seems to be easing since the central bank met in July. But analysts observe the dynamics among policymakers.
Wall Street often uses the minutes from Federal Reserve meetings to predict market trends, but the meeting notes don't always reflect current economic information.
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What Walmart and Home Depot's rising sales say about consumer sentiment

Aug 16, 2022
Walmart customers are thinking about rising prices. Home Depot customers are thinking about rising interest rates.
A look at Home Depot's sales indicates that people are opting to improve their existing homes rather than buy a new place.
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Waiting for another inflation report, with concern

Aug 9, 2022
Wednesday the government will tell us how much prices changed year over year in July. Inflation was an alarming 9.1% in June.
While rising prices for services, like styling hair, worry economists, prices for some goods may be dipping.
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Banks are preparing for more loans to go bad as interest rates rise

Aug 8, 2022
They're setting aside more cash to cover delinquencies and taking closer looks at prospective borrowers.
Consumers are saving less and using credit cards more as prices and interest rates rise. Above, a person on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange watches TV screens on July 27, after the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point.
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Fed unleashes another three-quarter point interest rate in bid to curb inflation

Jul 27, 2022
Attempting to curb the highest inflation in more than four decades, the Federal Reserve moved to raise its key rate to a range of 2.25% to 2.5%.
With inflation running at 9.1%, the Federal Reserve raise its key interest rate on Wednesday to the highest range since 2018. Above, Fed Chair Jerome Powell testifies before the House Committee on Financial Services in June.
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This week's GDP number may show a shrinking economy. But that doesn't equal recession.

Jul 25, 2022
There are reasons to take a weak gross domestic product report with a big grain of salt.
Thursday’s report on gross domestic product may show a contracting economy, but recessions are typically determined by a wider range of data.
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