DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Here’s the inflation breakdown for March 2024 — in one chart
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"The big rock in the way here is the cost of shelter," Zandi said. In fact, underlying inflation after stripping out shelter costs is already back to target, Zandi said. watch nowThe increase is largely attributable to higher oil prices. "For most Americans, the thing that bothers them the most about inflation is high food prices." Americans' buying patterns also simultaneously shifted away from services — like entertainment and travel — toward physical goods since they stayed at home more, driving up demand and fueling decades-high goods inflation.

Persons: Eric Thayer, That's, Mark Zandi, Zandi, It's, Hamrick, They're, Sarah House Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, U.S . Labor Department, Moody's, of Labor Statistics, U.S, Energy Information Administration, BLS, Wells, Wells Fargo Economics Locations: U.S, Wells Fargo

☆ The Fed still probably isn't ready to give Americans the interest rate cuts they're hoping for
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Still, the door is open for rate cuts later in the year. AdvertisementThe nation's central bank is gearing up to make its second interest rate decision of the year, and it probably won't be the relief many Americans want to see. AdvertisementStill, while Americans may not see an interest rate cut this month, they could see one later on this year. But I still think interest rate cuts of one form or the other are likely this year." A group of Democratic lawmakers are also urging Powell to develop a timeline in which Americans can expect to see rate cuts.

Persons: Jerome Powell, —, Mark Hamrick, Hamrick, Powell, there's, we've, Nick Bunker, Julia Pollak, Pollak, Congressional Progressive Caucus — Organizations: Federal, Service, Fed, Financial Services Committee, North America, Democratic, Congressional Progressive Caucus

☆ 56% of Americans can't afford a $1,000 emergency expense: We are 'living in a paycheck-to-paycheck nation,' money expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Annie Probert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A majority of Americans say they can't afford a $1,000 emergency expense, a recent report from Bankrate finds. Only 44% of Americans surveyed said they could use their savings to pay for an unexpected expense, instead opting to put it on a credit card or borrow cash from family or friends. "The reality is that we are, unfortunately, essentially living in a paycheck-to-paycheck nation," Bankrate senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick tells CNBC Make It. Unexpected economic events that occurred in quick succession over the past five years, from the fallout over the pandemic to high inflation, have shocked the personal finances of many Americans, says Hamrick. No matter how much you have saved up, economic conditions make now an ideal time to focus on building up your emergency savings, Hamrick says.

Persons: Mark Hamrick Organizations: CNBC

☆ Car insurance costs are up 21%—but this is 'the worst thing to do' if you're looking for ways to save
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

One cost pulling the average way up: car insurance, which rose 20.6% over the past 12 months. For drivers, the question isn't why rates are up across the board, but how they can keep their auto insurance costs from breaking the budget. How to keep your car insurance costs downSome reasons for rising premiums are unique to you, experts point out. But if your car insurance costs are going up as a matter of course, there are a few steps you can take to bring things down. "The best way to save money on your car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple companies to make sure you are getting the lowest possible rate," she says.

Persons: Loretta Worters, it's, Mark Hamrick, It's, Rachael Brennan, You'll Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Insurance, Institute, District of Columbia

☆ Here’s the inflation breakdown for February 2024 — in one chart
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Inflation is down from its hottest point in 2022, but is still warm, considering the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target. Real wages are on the rise, said Hamrick, which means people are seeing wages adjusted for inflation. When interest rates may subsideOne factor that affects how well Americans are doing — for better or for worse — is interest rates. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates this year, after having executed a series of rate increases to tamp down inflation. "We don't perceive there to be like an imminent pressure on the Fed to cut rates," such as a recession or sudden rise in unemployment, Doyle said.

Persons: Elijah Nouvelage, Mark Hamrick, David Doyle, Doyle, Hamrick Organizations: Kroger, AFP, Getty, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Federal Locations: Atlanta, Macquarie

☆ After Biden praises progress on inflation in State of the Union, economists weigh in
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden celebrated his administration's progress in the fight against inflation. "Wages keep going up and inflation keeps coming down," Biden said in the annual speech before Congress. Inflation has cooled while wages have ticked higher, but households are still struggling to keep up with the increased cost of living. However, "it is difficult to tell people that inflation isn't so bad as it was, given that it has taken about one-fifth of purchasing power away from people," he said. The consumer price index, a key inflation barometer, has fallen gradually from a 9.1% pandemic-era peak in June 2022 to 3.1% in January.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Mark Hamrick Organizations: Finance Locations: California

☆ Aspiring homeowners say they face two major obstacles to buying. Here's why 20% say it'll 'never' happen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

With various factors keeping homeownership out of reach for Americans, many aspiring homeowners are pessimistic, doubting they ever achieve that goal. Would-be buyers point to two major obstacles holding them back, according to a new Bankrate report. About half, 51%, point to a high cost of living, and 54% say they have insufficient income given where home prices are now. The site polled 2,267 U.S. adults, 864 of whom are aspiring homeowners, in late January. Meanwhile, 30% said it could take at least five years while 10% said it could take them a decade or longer.

Persons: Bankrate, homebuyers, Mark Hamrick, Hamrick Organizations: Finance

☆ Inflation comes in hotter than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The consumer price index increased 3.1% year over year in January, higher than the forecast of 2.9%. The CPI rose 0.3% month over month in January. January’s year-over-year rise in the CPI was expected to be 2.9%, which would have been a massive slowdown from December’s 3.4%. CPI increased by 0.3% month over month in January. Additionally, New York Fed Survey of Consumer Expectations data shows the one-year ahead median expected inflation rate had largely been cooling but stayed at 3.0% in January.

Persons: That's, —, That’s, Mark Hamrick Organizations: Service, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI, University of Michigan, Consumers, , New York Fed Survey, Consumer Locations: January’s, ,

☆ Tens of thousands of workers were laid off in January. If you were affected, here's how you may find work faster
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

New government data shows a surprisingly strong job market for the month of January. But there are signs of weakness in the labor market, based on tens of thousands of workers who have been laid off since 2024 started. At the same time, the latest data shows the U.S. job market is still strong, with the unemployment rate holding at 3.7%. "At the same time, we have to understand that certain sectors of the economy may be experiencing more disruption or innovation." With that innovation comes a higher risk that workers may suffer from an income loss as the economy adjusts, he said.

Persons: Mark Hamrick, Hamrick Organizations: Finance

☆ The Fed faces a big challenge in cutting interest rates with the economy roaring, Nobel laureate Paul Krugman says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US economy is in a better-than-Goldilocks state, economist Paul Krugman wrote for The New York Times. "We have an economy that is both piping hot (in terms of growth and job creation) and refreshingly cool (in terms of inflation)." It places the Fed in a tough position, as it has reasons to cut or keep interest rates steady. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Fundstrat's Tom Lee remains confident of a March turnaround, citing that Powell generally indicated a readiness to start slashing rates.

Persons: Paul Krugman, —, Krugman, Powell, Wednesday's, Bankrate's Mark Hamrick, Fundstrat's Tom Lee Organizations: The New York Times, Service, Federal Reserve, Fed

☆ 44% of Americans can't pay an unexpected $1,000 expense from savings. 'We're just not wired to save,' expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Brand X Pictures | Stockbyte | Getty ImagesWhy Americans are prone to 'financial fragility'Almost two-thirds of respondents, 63%, say high inflation has left less room to save for emergencies. "There's a persistence of fragility in American society," said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate. Yet year after year, surveys show building meaningful emergency savings remains a difficult hurdle for many Americans. How to reframe how you think about savingTo successfully boost emergency savings, it may help to reframe the way you think about that goal, Klontz, said. What may help to overcome that is to visualize, which helps create an emotional experience that can help activate behavioral change.

Persons: Mark Hamrick, Hamrick, Klontz Organizations: Brand

☆ Cities to watch in 2024: Las Vegas is drawing movers who want glitzy, big-city perks — with an affordable price tag
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Too said groceries, gas, and even movie tickets are less pricey in Las Vegas. Katz, a big sports fan, said some of his favorite things to do in the city are watching the Las Vegas Knights and the Las Vegas Aviators, a Minor League baseball team (an affiliate of Major League Oakland Athletics, who are moving to Las Vegas in the near future ). With the 2024 Super Bowl taking place in Las Vegas, Hamrick argued that the city has recently become a sports "mecca." AdvertisementTo receive that kind of hospitality, you don't have to venture far from the bustling parts of Las Vegas. Too said he lives only three miles from the Strip but feels worlds away from the flashy Las Vegas people envision.

Persons: —, Richard Katz, Katz, Vegas , Nevada Allan Baxter, Andrew Arevalo, Bob Hamrick, Michael Too, Arevalo, that's, I've, Paolo Becarelli, Hamrick, Strip Katz, He's, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Sin City —, Las Vegas, Census, Coldwell Banker, Las Vegas Knights, Las Vegas Aviators, Minor League baseball, Major League Oakland Athletics, Strip Locations: Virginia, West, Sacramento, Seattle, Florida, Texas, . Colorado, Reno, California, Las Vegas, Vegas , Nevada, Sin, Vegas, Nevada, Sin City, Texas , Arizona, Washington, Utah, San Francisco, Bay, Redfin, Mount Charleston, Fire, Summerlin, Indiana, Western, it's

☆ Consumer spending growth will slow in 2024, economist predicts — it’s ‘not necessarily sustainable’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Consumer spending remained remarkably resilient throughout 2023, even in the face of prolonged inflation and high interest rates. "Nonetheless, those tailwinds are not necessarily sustainable," Kleinhenz said in the January issue of NRF's Monthly Economic Review, released Tuesday. Americans are racking up more 'phantom debt'56 million Americans have been in credit card debt for over a yearRecent reports already show signs of strain. In the last year, credit card debt spiked to a record high, surpassing $1.08 trillion, according to the latest quarterly report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Now, more cardholders are carrying debt from month to month and fewer are able to pay off their balances in full.

Persons: Jack Kleinhenz, Kleinhenz, Mark Hamrick Organizations: National Retail Federation, Finance, Federal Reserve Bank of New Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

☆ Here's when market experts think inflation will get back to normal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

While many experts don't see inflation getting back to normal just yet, it could in a year or two. Consumer price inflation has been mostly slowing this year. Some experts see inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index being around 2% — the Fed's target year-over-year rate of price growth — by some time in 2024. Advertisement"We foresee headline and core CPI inflation around 2.2% y/y in Q4 2024," Daco said in his commentary. Goldman Sachs forecasts that measure is expected to cool off and see a 2.4% year-over-year increase in December 2024.

Persons: J.P, David Kelly, —, Gregory Daco, Daco, Kelly, ING's James Knightley, Sarah Foster's, Goldman Sachs, Jerome Powell, Powell, Mark Hamrick, Hamrick Organizations: Morgan, Service, Consumer, CPI, Morgan Asset Management, Bankrate, Federal Reserve, Federal, Business

☆ Turkeys are cheaper, but inflation is 'clearly impacting' Thanksgiving food costs, economist says. Here's how to save
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The cost of turkey represents 45% of the classic Thanksgiving basket of food prices the bureau tracks. "Inflation is still clearly impacting food prices," Veronica Nigh, senior economist of AFBF, said in a press call. People are paying more at the grocery store. Consumers can expect to pay around 20% less for fresh cranberries compared to a year ago while canned cranberry sauce is up 7% from last year, Wells Fargo found. It "might actually be cheaper to go to a grocery store that you're not used to going to," Palmer said.

Persons: Veronica, AFBF, Kimberly Palmer, There's, Wells, Mark Hamrick, Maren Caruso, Palmer Organizations: American Farm Bureau, Finance, UBS, Bankrate, Stone Locations: U.S, Puerto Rico, . Ham, Wells Fargo

"When the 10-year yield goes up, it will have a knock-on effect for almost everything," according to Brett House, economics professor at Columbia Business School. There are many factors driving the recent spike in Treasury yields, economists said. Most of the recent jump in Treasury yields is due to a so-called term premium, said Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics. Student loans could get pricierThere is also a correlation between Treasury yields and student loans. The government sets the annual rates on those loans once a year, based on the 10-year Treasury.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Mark Hamrick, Brett House, Andrew Hunter, Hunter, Tony Dwyer, Canaccord Genuity, Freddie Mac, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James Organizations: Federal, Stock, Fed, Columbia Business School, Treasury, Capital Economics Locations: U.S

☆ As mortgage rates hit 8%, home 'affordability is incredibly difficult,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Lifestylevisuals | E+ | Getty ImagesHow home affordability has changedIn August 2020, the typical monthly mortgage payment was $1,581, based on an average interest rate of 2.94%, Redfin found. Nowadays, the typical U.S. homebuyer's monthly mortgage payment is $2,866, according to Redfin — an all-time high. "In the next year or two years, interest rates will be lower, and people will have the ability to refinance." That said, competition for homes on the market is likely to be worse in a few years as interest rates cool, she said. "When interest rates come down, everyone's going to come back to the marketplace," said Cohn.

Persons: Redfin, homebuyers, Mark Hamrick, Alicia Huey, Melissa Cohn, William Raveis, Cohn Organizations: Bankrate.com, Istock, Federal Reserve, CNBC, William Raveis Mortgage Locations: U.S, Birmingham , Alabama, New York

"When the 10-year yield goes up, it will have a knock-on effect for almost everything," according to Columbia Business School economics professor Brett House. Why Treasury yields have jumpedA bond's yield is the total annual return investors get from bond payments. There are many factors driving the recent spike in Treasury yields, economists said. Student loans could get pricierThere is also a correlation between Treasury yields and student loans. The government sets the annual rates on those loans once a year, based on the 10-year Treasury.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Mark Hamrick, Brett House, Andrew Hunter, Hunter, Freddie Mac, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James Organizations: Treasury, Columbia Business School, Fed, Capital Economics Locations: U.S

☆ Keep your sweetened CD yields going with this maneuver
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The one-year Treasury bill is yielding 5.47% Wednesday, and one-year CDs at some institutions offer annual percentage yields exceeding 5%. "It always makes sense to look at the landscape," said Danika Waddell, a certified financial planner and founder of Xena Financial Planning. Ally Financial and Bread Financial are among the institutions offering a higher renewal rate for customers who stick around. Consider that about a year ago, the average one-year CD had an APY of less than 1%, according to Bankrate.com . Consider that Synchrony Financial has an 11-month no-penalty CD that offers a 4.5% APY, while its 12-month standard CD yields 5.1%.

Persons: Danika Waddell, Morgan Stanley, Banks, Betsy Graseck, Mark Hamrick, It's, Waddell, Michael Bloom Organizations: Federal Reserve, Treasury, Investors, Xena, PNC, WFC, Bankrate.com, Ally, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp Locations: JPM

☆ 56% of workers say they're not on track to retire—here's how much money experts say you actually need
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

More than half of Americans say they're not on track to retire. Around 56% of Americans who are working full-time, part-time or are temporarily unemployed feel that they are behind on their retirement savings, according to Bankrate's September survey. And nearly 25% of workers say they haven't made contributions to their retirement accounts in at least a year. Before you determine whether you're ahead or behind on your retirement savings, it can help to have an overall goal in mind. In general, you should aim to have 10 times your preretirement income saved by the time you reach age 67, according to Fidelity.

Persons: Mark Hamrick Organizations: Fidelity, Northwestern Mutual

NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans will see a modest increase in benefits this January when a new cost-of-living adjustment is added to Social Security payments. Here's what to keep in mind:Political Cartoons View All 1209 ImagesHOW DOES SOCIAL SECURITY WORK? The Social Security program pays roughly $1.4 trillion in benefits to more than 71 million people each year, including low-income individuals with disabilities. The short answer is that taxes fund Social Security. While the money is used to pay people currently receiving benefits, any unused money goes to the Social Security trust fund.

Persons: Kathleen Romig, ”, Mark Hamrick, Hamrick, Charles Schwab Organizations: Social, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer, Social Security, Budget, Bureau of Labor Statistics ’, “, Boomers, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP

☆ A recession may still be in the forecast, experts say. Here's how to make sure you're prepared
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Jamie Kelter Davis | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesA recession has been in the forecast for much of 2023. "A recession is obviously going to happen at some point," said Jack Manley, global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management. Those factors may prompt the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates higher for longer, Aleman said. Experts say the key is to automate your savings so you do not even see the money in your paycheck. Another advantage to saving now: Rising interest rates mean the potential returns on that money are the highest they have been in 15 years.

Persons: Jamie Kelter Davis, Jack Manley, —, Eugenio Aleman, Raymond James, Aleman, Manley, Barry Glassman, CNBC.com, Glassman, Mark Hamrick, Matt Schulz, Schulz Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Asset Management, National Association for Business Economics, Finance, Federal Reserve, Wealth Services, CNBC's, Bankrate Locations: Chicago

☆ Self-made millionaire: This couple earns $280,000 a year, but they’re making a ‘catastrophic’ money mistake
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Self-made millionaire Ramit Sethi discovered that a couple earning six figures is making a "catastrophic" money mistake. Based on a quick overview of the couple's finances, Sethi found that the couple has zero savings and investments. With this, your initial investment grows exponentially by earning returns not only on the principal amount, but on the interest it accumulates as well. Say your initial investment is $1,000 and you earn an annualized return of 10%, the average stock market return, according to NerdWallet. That year, you'd earn 10% on your entire account total, not just your initial investment.

Persons: Ramit Sethi, Sethi, Rich, Mark Hamrick, you'd Organizations: CNBC Locations: U.S

Job openings unexpectedly rose in August by 690,000 in a surprise that was led by a jump in demand for workers in business services, the Labor Department reported on Tuesday. Job openings rise to 9.6 mil from 8.8 mil last month. That means analysts will wait for other data on the job market out this week to see whether the job openings report is an anomaly. The job openings data lag the other labor market reports this week by a month. On Friday, the government will release its monthly jobs report for September with analysts looking for a continued moderation in the pace of growth in employment.

Persons: “, ” Kathy Jones, Charles Schwab, ”, Geno Cutolo, Mark Hamrick, ” Hamrick, Brij Khurana, Khurana Organizations: Labor Department, Charles, Charles Schwab Center, Financial Research, Federal, Wellington Management Locations: North America

☆ Working in an office full time is a no-go for some people who desperately want remote work
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Working adults or job seekers tend to prefer remote work over being in the office full time, per Bankrate. New survey results from Bankrate found 64% of US adults who are part of the workforce are in favor of fully remote work instead of work done all in person. AdvertisementAdvertisementOne person who is in a new fully remote position had previously been working remotely as an ad tech contractor. "I think fully remote work is going to be tough for them to find," Pozen said. AdvertisementAdvertisementAre you thinking about switching jobs or have already quit because of return to office requirements or a desire for flexible work?

Persons: Bankrate, YouGov, Mark Hamrick, it's, Robert C, Hamrick, Pozen, Paul Rubenstein, Visier, you've, Rubenstein, Robert Half Organizations: Service, MIT Sloan School of Management, Workers Locations: Wall, Silicon, Bankrate

Search resuls for: "Hamrick"

25 mentions found