Feb 13 WATCH: White House holds briefing as consumer inflation continues to steadily lower By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Consumer inflation in the United States cooled last month yet remained elevated in the latest sign that the pandemic-fueled price surge is only gradually and fitfully coming under control. Continue reading
Feb 08 Watch 8:22 Half of American renters pay more than 30% of income on housing, study shows By Stephanie Sy, Mike Fritz Rental prices are unaffordable for a record number of Americans with half of all renters paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Stephanie Sy reached out to… Continue watching
Feb 08 Inflation is nearly back to 2 percent. So why isn't the Federal Reserve ready to cut rates? By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Inflation, as measured by its preferred gauge, rose in the second half of 2023 at an annual rate of about 2 percent — the Fed's target level. Continue reading
Feb 01 AP-NORC poll finds an uptick in positive ratings of the U.S. economy, but it's not boosting Biden By Josh Boak, Emily Swanson, Associated Press A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 35 percent of U.S. adults call the national economy good. That's an uptick from 30 percent who said so late last year and up from 24… Continue reading
Jan 31 WATCH: Federal Reserve signals that interest rate cuts aren't imminent and leaves them unchanged for now By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The Federal Reserve indicated Wednesday that it’s nearing a long-awaited shift toward cutting interest rates, a sign that its officials have grown confident that they're close to fully taming inflation. But the Fed also signaled that the first rate cut is likely… Continue reading
Jan 25 U.S. economy surprises with strong 3.3% growth in last quarter By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The gross domestic product decelerated from its sizzling 4.9% growth rate the previous quarter. Continue reading
Jan 24 Americans' economic outlook brightens as inflation slows and wages outpace prices By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press After an extended period of gloom, Americans are starting to feel better about inflation and the economy — a trend that could sustain consumer spending, fuel economic growth and potentially affect President Joe Biden's political fortunes. Continue reading
Jan 24 Inflation slows, incomes rise, and Americans are much more optimistic about the economy By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press A survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that Americans' inflation expectations have reached their lowest point in nearly three years. Continue reading
Jan 17 Yellen says current U.S. economic growth 'vindicates' Biden's COVID-19 pandemic stimulus spending By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is making an election-year pitch that the current state of the economy "vindicates" Democrats' decision to pass a $1.9 trillion coronavirus pandemic response package back in 2021. Continue reading
Jan 17 Retail sales were up 0.6 percent this holiday season, fueled by a strong job market By Anne D'Innocenzio, Associated Press While consumers continue to face higher borrowing costs and prices, spending is being fueled by a strong job market and rising wages. Continue reading