inflation Archives

Judge Blocks Case Against Fed Chair, Citing Political Motives by Trump

13Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Domestic Politics: United States, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Bit

Judge Blocks Case Against Fed Chair, Citing Political Motives by Trump

March 13, 2026—A U.S. District Court ruled that a criminal investigation of the Federal Reserve by the D.C. Attorney is politically motivated rather than for a “proper purpose.” In January, the U.S. Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to the central bank relating to a $2.5 billion renovation at the Fed headquarters. The ruling asserts that President Trump “has long coveted control over interest rates and yearned to lower them to his advantage.” A decision by District Court Judge James Boasberg effectively stops that investigation. He writes in Case 1:26-mc-00012-JEB: “There is abundant evidence that the subpoenas’ dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the President or to resign and make way for a Fed Chair who will. On the othe...

22Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Bit

Fed Keeps Rate At 5.25

Fed Chair Says Consumer Credit Market Is Normal September 22, 2023—The Federal Reserve kept its main rate, the Federal Funds Rate, unchanged on Wednesday at 5.25 percent. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said there was unanimous support among board members for keeping rates steady. He predicted one more rate hike before the end of the year then declining rates beginning next year. "Now we're fairly close, we think, to where we need to get. It's just a question of reaching theright stance," he said at a press conference on Wednesday. Specifically, Powell estimated the federal funds rate would reach 5.6 percent by the end of the year, come down to 5.1 percent in 2024, then further decline to 3.9 percent in 2025. The rate impacts mortgages, consumer credit as well as interest the governm...

13Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Bit

U.S. Inflation Inches Up To 3.7 Percent

September 13, 2023—Consumer prices in the United States increased to an annual rate of 3.7 percent in August, up from 3.2 percent in July. Driving the CPI index higher was a spike in energy costs. Gasoline prices spiked by 10.5 percent from July to August while the cost of other fuels rose by 9.1 percent. Even so, energy prices decreased over the last year by 3.6 percent over the previous year. Meanwhile, food prices rose by only 0.2 percent in August and 4.3 percent over the past 12 months. The cost of used cars and trucks dipped while new vehicles cost slightly more. Observers expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to leave interest rates as they are when board members meet September 19-20. For specifics, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics release.

5 Takeaways From Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech

25Aug

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief

5 Takeaways From Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech

August 25, 2023—Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a carefully worded speech this morning to the annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Kansas City Federal Reserve hosts the event. Moran, Wyoming, US, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg Here are the key takeaways from the highly anticipated speech: 1. 3 Percent Is Not The New 2 Percent With the annual inflation rate in the United States down to 3.2 percent, some observers have wondered if that lower rate would suffice. Powell made clear it does not. The target is still 2 percent, and the central bank will not end a restrictive financial policy until the rate reaches that. "It is the Fed's job to bring inflation down to our 2 percent goal, and we will do so," Po...

United States: Inflation Moderates In March

12Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Global Economics, Types of News: Bit

United States: Inflation Moderates In March

Housing Prices Rise While Energy Costs Fall April 12, 2023—Consumer prices still rose in March in the United States, yet they rose less than they have in previous months. The Consumer Price Index for all items increased by 0.1 percent for the month, seasonally adjusted, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the past year, prices as a whole increased by 5 percent—the smallest spike since May 2021. The category for shelter, specifically rent and housing prices, increased the most. It rose by 0.6 percent in March and 8.2 percent in the past year. Meanwhile, the cost of energy commodities and services started coming down by 4.6 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, in March.

ECB Raises Interest Rates Despite Signs Of Credit Crunch

16Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief

ECB Raises Interest Rates Despite Signs Of Credit Crunch

ECB raises rates by 50 basis points on March 16, 2023. March 16, 2023—The European Central Bank raised its three key interest rates by 50 basis points in response to persistently high inflation. That increases the main refinancing operations, the marginal lending facilities, and the deposit facility to 3.5 percent, 3.75 percent, and 3 percent, respectively. Those rates are up from 0.00 percent, 0.25 percent, and -0.50 percent in June 2022. The move comes in the middle market turmoil stemming from pressure in the banking system over recent rate rises. In its press release, the ECB noted an "elevated level of uncertainty." It takes place as financial distress hits the banking sector in the United States and in Europe. Two U.S. banks collapsed in less than a week, posing a ripple eff...

14Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Bit

Inflation: U.S. Prices Rose 6 Percent

Energy And Used Car Prices Come Down While Food And Shelter Still Soars March 14, 2023—U.S. consumer prices increased by 6 percent for the 12-month period ending in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is the smallest 12-month increase since the period ending September 2021. It is still well below the 2 percent target long held by the Federal Reserve. Prices Dropping Prices fell in February for a few items on the index. For example, the prices of oil, gas, and energy services came down by 7.9 percent, 8 percent, and 1.7 percent, respectively. The cost of used cars and trucks came down by 2.8 percent following months of a downturn that have brought prices down by 13.6 percent for the year. Also, medical care services dropped by 0.7 percent. Prices Rising ...

U.S. Inflation Remains ‘Highly Uncertain,’ Fed Chair Says

30Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Inflation Remains ‘Highly Uncertain,’ Fed Chair Says

November 30, 2022—Although increases in consumer prices ebbed slightly in the United States in the latest numbers, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned on Wednesday that inflation's path remains "highly uncertain." He noted that October's figure of 7.7 percent annual growth is better than the previous Consumer Price Index estimates but said the single-month improvement doesn't reflect a trend. Powell said the Fed policy is likely to remain "restrictive for some time to come." Addressing an audience at the Brookings Institution, he said price trends differ in three categories: core goods, housing, and services. Prices in core goods are moderating while housing service prices rose rapidly. Meanwhile, prices in services are likely to rise due to unmet demand in the labor market. ...

A Week Before The Election, Biden Asks Big Oil To ‘Share The Wealth’

2Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Domestic Politics: United States, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

A Week Before The Election, Biden Asks Big Oil To ‘Share The Wealth’

November 1, 2022—A week away from the U.S. Midterm elections, inflation is grabbing the attention of voters and politicians alike. As Republicans play up the impact of rising prices and pin the blame on their opponents, Democrats point the finger at companies benefiting from higher prices. It doesn't take long for the focus to fall on energy companies, specifically those earning profit from the high price of oil on global markets. That's precisely the play President Joe Biden pulled from his playbook on Monday. "In a difficult time, Americans across the country have stepped up, and they — to do the right thing. But not everyone has stepped up," Biden said. "The oil industry has not — has not met its commitment to invest in America and support the American people. One by one, major o...

10Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Global Economics, Types of News: Bit

U.S. Prices Continue To Climb

Inflation Rate Hits 8.6 Percent In The United States June 10, 2022—The Consumer Price Index for U.S. goods and services inched up in May, bringing the U.S. inflation rate to 8.6 percent. Fuel prices rose 16.9 percent for the month and just over 106 percent for the year. Related goods and services like transportation and utility gas services followed with the highest increases on the Dept. of Labor's CPI Data. Meanwhile, prices on used cars and trucks climbed 16 percent higher over the last 12-months. Likewise, food prices rose 10 percent.