Inflation

Fed Boosts Rate 50 BPs

Update 656 — Fed Boosts Rate 50 BPsIs Soft—and Swift—Landing in Sight? Today, the Federal Reserve announced a 50 basis point interest rate increase, bringing the borrowing benchmark up to a targeted range of 4.25-4.5 percent. This rate hike, a slowdown after four consecutive 75 point increases, suggests the Fed believes it may have a …

Fed Boosts Rate 50 BPs Read More »

A Midterm Mandate?

Update 649 —  A Midterm Mandate?Finding Meaning in Voters’ Message The GOP may be in dire need of introspection, reappraisal, and course correction, following the message delivered by the voters and the best midterm performance by the party in power in almost a century. The lessons of this success need not be lost on the …

A Midterm Mandate? Read More »

It’s the Economy Again….

Update 644 — It’s the Economy… AgainNavigating the Top-Ranking Voter Issue Midterm election voters have 18 days to weigh issues and candidates, decide, and vote. 2022 has seen a war in Ukraine, worldwide inflation, and a Supreme Court ruling ending national abortion protection. Some issues have riveted and rallied voters — notably abortion for Democrats …

It’s the Economy Again…. Read More »

CPI Moves Sideways

Update 634: CPI Moves SidewaysThe Good News in Inflation Picture Looking at news headlines about and the markets’ response to yesterday’s Consumer Price Index Report for August, you might think inflation is skyrocketing unabated. That might sell, but under the hood are a vertical drop in consumer gas prices, a drop in producer prices, and …

CPI Moves Sideways Read More »

CPI for June up 9.1%

Update 620 — CPI for June up 9.1%But Trends Complicate Inflation Story The CPI report for June, showing a 9.1 percent hike in prices from a year ago, up from 8.6 percent in May, may alarm some and immediately suggests another 75 basis point interest rate by the Fed at its next meeting, July 26-27. …

CPI for June up 9.1% Read More »

Fed Fights Inflation, Recession Risk

Update 616 — Fueling Uncertainty:Fed Fights Inflation, Recession Risk Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell took the hot seat this week during the semiannual Humphrey-Hawkins hearings before Congress. Recently re-confirmed as Chair, Powell had to manage his way through cross examination regarding the Fed and inflation, following a hot 8.6 percent May CPI rise in inflation …

Fed Fights Inflation, Recession Risk Read More »