The Federal Reserve left its key short-term interest rate unchanged Wednesday at 2%, marking the first time in the nine months that it did not cut rates.
Wholesale prices bolted ahead in May at the fastest pace in six months as energy and food costs marched higher
Wholesale prices bolted ahead in May at the fastest pace in six months as energy and food costs marched higher.
The inflation rate shot up in May at the fastest pace in six months, pushed higher by soaring costs for gasoline and other types of energy
The dollar strengthened against major currencies on Friday after a Labor Department's report on core inflation met expectations, easing some concerns about the effect of rising prices on consumer spending.
The cost of living rose in May as consumers were belted by energy costs, the government said Friday.
Inflation shot up in May at the fastest pace in six months, pushed higher by soaring costs for gasoline and other types of energy
China's inflation rate dipped to a still high 7.7% in May, thanks to easing food prices, though pressures for further price increases remain a threat and few saw reason to celebrate
The following minutes from the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee on April 29-30, 2008 were published on the Federal Reserve web site on May 21, 2008.
Americans are feeling a lot more economic pain than the government's official statistics would lead you to believe, according to a growing number of experts.
The Federal Reserve left its key short-term interest rate unchanged Wednesday at 2%, marking the first time in the nine months that it did not cut rates.
Wholesale prices bolted ahead in May at the fastest pace in six months as energy and food costs marched higher
Wholesale prices bolted ahead in May at the fastest pace in six months as energy and food costs marched higher.
The inflation rate shot up in May at the fastest pace in six months, pushed higher by soaring costs for gasoline and other types of energy
The dollar strengthened against major currencies on Friday after a Labor Department's report on core inflation met expectations, easing some concerns about the effect of rising prices on consumer spending.
The cost of living rose in May as consumers were belted by energy costs, the government said Friday.
Inflation shot up in May at the fastest pace in six months, pushed higher by soaring costs for gasoline and other types of energy
China's inflation rate dipped to a still high 7.7% in May, thanks to easing food prices, though pressures for further price increases remain a threat and few saw reason to celebrate
The following minutes from the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee on April 29-30, 2008 were published on the Federal Reserve web site on May 21, 2008.
Americans are feeling a lot more economic pain than the government's official statistics would lead you to believe, according to a growing number of experts.
China's producer price index, a key indicator of inflation, rose 8.1 per cent in April over the same month a year earlier, the government reported Friday, as a top economic official sought new controls to cool rising prices
Consumers, hit by rising energy prices, paid slightly more for goods and services in March. But the overall inflation gain was in line with Wall Street expectations.
Inflation at the wholesale level soared in March at nearly triple the rate that had been expected as the costs of energy and food both climbed rapidly
Inflation is the itch that the Federal Reserve just can't seem to scratch.
Here are the minutes from the March 18, 2008 meeting of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee:
My friend Dana, a former real estate investment banker who got out of investment banking comfortably before subprime mortgages hit the fan, has a personal inflation index. It's pegged entirely to the price of filet mignon at the Palm Too, his favorite steak house on the East Side of Manhattan. If the filet mignon is reasonable, all is right with the world. If it seems unduly expensive, Dana gets worried that inflation is spinning out of control. So a couple of months ago he returned from a month in Paris to find that the price of pricey steak had jumped to $38, up from $36. To hear him tell it, not since the Last Supper has an evening meal emanated so pervasive a sense of impending doom.
Inflation at the wholesale level met most estimates in February, the Labor Department said Tuesday, but core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose more than expected.
Consumer prices held steady in February, with milder-than-expected inflation giving the Federal Reserve some leeway in its interest rate-cutting campaign.
Two members of the Federal Reserve's rate-setting body gave conflicting speeches Tuesday as to whether rising inflation or a recession is the greater risk for the economy.
Inflation at the wholesale level soared in January, pushed higher by rising costs for food, energy and medicine
Inflation pressures stayed steady in October, according to the government's key inflation measure released Thursday that matched economists' forecasts.
U.S. stocks appeared poised for a higher opening Wednesday, with technology stocks looking to lead the way on Wall Street after a batch of upbeat earnings in the sector.
U.S. stock futures were stronger Wednesday as investors continued to cheer a Federal Reserve cut aimed at restoring confidence in the financial markets.
Consumer prices in August fell for the first time in 10 months, as another big drop in energy costs offset higher food prices.
China is likely to keep tightening monetary policy over the rest of 2007, but some economists believe the central bank will slow the tempo of interest rate increases as the outlook for exports darkens and inflation prospects improve.
Consumer prices rose more slowly in July due to lower gasoline prices, according to the government's key inflation reading released Wednesday that was exactly what Wall Street was expecting..
Prices paid by consumers rose in June, but when food and energy prices were stripped out the government's key inflation measure was in line with Wall Street expectations.
The following is the text of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress Before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives.
Cheaper energy helped reduce overall U.S. producer prices in June, according to a Labor Department report Tuesday, but a closely watched measure of core inflation kept rising at a pace likely to keep concerns about inflation on policy-makers' minds.
Major gauges struggled in the first moments of trade Tuesday after reassuring news on consumer prices battled weak earnings reports from two Dow components.
Prices rose a bit less than forecast in April, according to the government's key inflation report Tuesday, but a closely watched reading showed a pick-up in prices outside of food and energy.
Tech and financial stocks slumped Monday, dragging down the Nasdaq composite and limiting gains for the Dow industrials as investors backed off after the recent rally.
Wholesale prices rose in April but excluding food and energy they stayed in check for the second straight month, the government said Friday in a report showing a key inflation reading below Wall Street forecasts.
Bonds rallied Wednesday as the latest signs of tame inflation and housing market weakness led traders to wonder about an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve.
Following are Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's prepared remarks to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress Wednesday.
Core U.S. inflation is likely to drop to 2 percent from about 2 1/4 percent, but pushing it below that may require higher interest rates, Federal Reserve Governor Frederic Mishkin said on Friday.
Bond prices were little changed - despite an economic report released Friday that showed higher inflation numbers (in line with economists' estimates) - while investors sensed equities remained a safe bet.
Higher gasoline and food prices pushed the cost of consumer goods up in February, according to a government report that showed inflation pressures roughly in line with Wall Street forecasts.
Wholesale prices shot higher in February, according to a government report Thursday that showed much greater inflation pressures than had been forecast.
Worries about inflation sent blue chips lower Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrial average backtracking one day after closing at a record high.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for the fifth straight time in January. Following are the minutes from the central bank's meeting:
Treasury prices fell Wednesday after a government report showed consumer prices rose more than economists expected.
Consumer prices rose a bit more than economists had expected in January, according to a government report Wednesday, but the numbers don't necessarily point to a huge pickup in inflation.
U.S. stocks were set for a lower open Wednesday after a key inflation gauge came in above expectations.
Following is the text of the testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
Bond prices rose and the dollar fell Thursday after a key inflation reading showed just a slight rise in consumer prices in December.
Economic growth picked up in the fourth quarter, the government said Wednesday, a surprisingly strong showing given the ongoing slump in the housing market.
The drop in oil prices to the lowest level in 20 months has boosted some investors' hopes that a key ingredient of inflation is out the door, which has helped open the back door for lower interest rates.
Wholesale prices rose in December but at a slower pace after November's spike, the government said Wednesday, but inflation pressures were still higher than investors had been expecting.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for the fourth straight time in December. Following are the minutes from the central bank's meeting:
A key inflation gauge showed no rise in prices in November while Americans' incomes and spending both rose, but came in a bit lighter than expected.
The Dow Jones industrial average closed at a record high for the second session in a row Friday, at the end of a strong week on Wall Street, thanks to a mild read on consumer prices that furthered bets that inflation is easing
The Dow Jones industrial average pushed toward a record close Friday, at the end of a strong week on Wall Street, as investors welcomed a mild read on consumer prices that furthered bets that inflation is waning.
Stocks and bonds turned mixed Friday afternoon, giving up the session's advance, as investors continued to welcome a mild read on inflation, but showed some caution ahead of the weekend.
Prices paid by consumers stayed in check in November, according to the government's key inflation measure released Friday, as price pressures came in well below Wall Street forecasts.
Stocks looked poised Friday to build on a record-high close for the Dow after a key inflation report showed no rise from the previous month.
Treasury prices turned lower Thursday afternoon on concerns that inflation is still above the Federal Reserve's comfort zone, lessening the possibility of more rate cuts.
Consumer prices fell in October, led by a drop in gasoline prices, the government said Thursday in a report that showed other prices little changed, raising hopes on Wall Street that inflation pressures are in retreat.
Investors are looking to see if weak inflation pressures can again lift stocks ahead of earnings from Hewlett-Packard.
Treasurys took a big leap Tuesday as the Producer Price Index indicated that inflation was not accelerating as some had feared.
Bonds were mixed Wednesday, with longer-dated Treasurys holding in positive territory as investors were comforted by a tame inflation reading on consumer prices, despite signs of strength from the housing sector.
Prices paid by businesses fell in September on the biggest drop in energy prices in more than 20 years, but a more closely watched inflation reading came in well above Wall Street forecasts Tuesday.
Stocks gained Friday, restarting the recent rally, on bets that the morning's mild reading on inflation means the Federal Reserve can keep holding interest rates steady, for the time being.
Stocks surged Wednesday, rallying for the second straight session on bets that the day's benign inflation news is further evidence that the Federal Reserve can keep interest rates steady.
Bond prices jumped again Wednesday, with yields on the benchmark 10-year note dropping below 4.90 percent, as further reports suggested the economy and inflation are cooling.
The Federal Reserve's pause was looking more and more like a halt Tuesday, as the first post-Fed meeting inflation reading showed price pressures well in check.
A more precise measure of the Consumer Price Index could be instituted next year, according to a published report Monday, a move that could see the closely watched inflation reading roil markets less.
Manufacturing growth showed surprising strength in July, even as prices paid jumped, according to a closely watched survey of industry executives released Tuesday.
Retail prices for goods other than food and energy rose more than expected last month, the government said Wednesday.
Stocks could get off to a rocky start Wednesday after a report showed consumer prices rose last month.
That Ben Bernanke. He keeps saying the wrong things.
Stocks mounted a late day rally Wednesday, continuing a pattern of volatility, following a key inflation report that came in above forecasts but at least provided some certainty the Federal Reserve would continue raising rates.
Bonds plunged Wednesday after a key report on consumer prices came in stronger than anticipated, fueling speculation that the Federal Reserve will continue its interest rate hike campaign to keep inflation in check.
Prices paid by consumers for goods other than food and energy rose more than expected in May, making it all but certain the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at least one more time.
Stock futures pared gains Wednesday after the release of the much-anticipated Consumer Price Index dashed hopes that the Federal Reserve would halt its series of rate hikes.
The latest government reading on wholesale prices showed inflationary pressures mixed compared to Wall Street expectations.
With markets around the world on inflation watch, the number that most matters to Ben Bernanke & Co. is one investors and economists won't get to see - until after the next Fed meeting.
Below are the remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke at the International Monetary Conference Monday, according to the Fed's Web site.
Federal Reserve policy-makers were unsure how much more they would need to raise interest rates, if at all, after a May 10 meeting, according to minutes of the meeting released on Wednesday. Below is the first part of the full minutes from that gathering:
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Thursday that the "extraordinary" boom in the U.S. housing market in recent years is over.
The roar of inflation has scared Wall Street in recent days, but to some economists the sound is more like that of a house cat than that of a lion.
Blue chips led a broad selloff Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrial average posting its biggest single-day loss in three years, after a stronger-than-expected consumer inflation report re-ignited fears of inflation.
Stocks sank Wednesday morning, extending losses from the previous session's selloff, after stronger-than-expected consumer prices reignited inflation concerns.
Consumer prices jumped in April, sparking a fresh round of inflation worries on Wall Street, and economists say the report gives investors and the Federal Reserve good reason to worry.
Stock futures fell early Wednesday, reversing earlier gains, after the government's main inflation indicator came in higher than forecasts.
Economists agree there are worrying signs about the nation's economy. What they don't agree on is what should be the major worry.
An uptick in consumer prices and comments from a Federal Reserve policy-maker rattled bond investors Wednesday, sending Treasury prices sharply lower and pushing the yield on the benchmark 10-year note back above 5 percent.
Higher gasoline prices pushed inflation higher in March, the government reported Wednesday, but even stripping out food and energy there was surprising upward pressure on consumer prices last month.
Here are the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting on March 27 and March 28:
Wholesale prices took their biggest tumble in nearly three years in February, led by falling energy prices, the government said Tuesday, but a key measure of inflation excluding energy came in higher than Wall Street forecasts.
A steep selloff in the semiconductor sector Thursday weighed on the Nasdaq composite, but the Dow industrials and S&P 500 both managed to carve out fresh nearly five-year highs.
The government's latest reading on consumer prices, issued Thursday, showed a decline in inflationary pressures due to lower energy prices.
Higher energy prices lifted the government's broad inflation reading in January, as the closely watched report released Wednesday showed more upward pressure on prices than expected by Wall Street.
Businesses paid more than expected for the goods they purchased in January, according to the government's reading on inflation at the wholesale level released Friday.
Treasury prices surged Friday on tame inflation and weaker-than-expected retail sales reports, leading investors to believe that the Federal Reserve's monetary tightening campaign is winding down.
Stocks rose Thursday morning after the biggest one-month drop in consumer prices since the late 1940's encouraged investors to trust that the Fed rate-hiking campaign could be ending soon.
Consumer prices took their biggest tumble in 56 years in November, led by a plunge in gasoline prices, the government said Thursday, but analysts and investors believe that the threat of higher inflation has not passed.
Stocks were looking for a positive start Thursday after the biggest one-month drop in consumer prices since the late 1940's.
Bonds and the dollar increased Wednesday after an economic report offered a tame reading on core consumer prices, cementing expectations for the Fed to keep to its current path of monetary tightening.
Consumer prices rose just a bit more than expected in October -- after soaring at the fastest pace in 25 years the previous month -- in a report that helped calm Wall Street worries about inflation.
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