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☆ The Fed is finally about to cut interest rates. What took so long?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —It’s a pivotal week for the US economy, with the Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. Fed officials and investors have long anticipated that borrowing costs would come down in 2024 — at some point — according to their economic forecasts. But nine months in, rate cuts still haven’t happened, drenching Wall Street’s parade and leaving US consumers squeezed by elevated interest rates. Here’s why the Fed didn’t cut soonerIt’s simple: The Fed didn’t cut interest rates sooner because it could have reignited inflation or left it stuck above the central bank’s target. Bond yields, which move in anticipation of the Fed’ decisions on rates, have come down over the past several weeks based on signs encouraging the Fed to cut rates, such as weaker-than-expected employment data and cooling inflation.

Persons: Washington CNN — It’s, it’s, ” Oscar Muñoz, ” Muñoz, Jerome Powell, Powell, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ Jerome Powell’s, ” Philipp Carlsson Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Fed, Wall, TD Securities, CNN, Kansas City, Capitol, White, Boston Consulting Group Locations: —, Jackson Hole , Wyoming

☆ Slower inflation is boosting Americans’ attitudes toward the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Washington CNN —Americans are feeling a greater sense of optimism about the US economy this month, thanks to slower inflation. Voters also see a greater likelihood that Vice President Kamala Harris will defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. The University of Michigan’s latest consumer survey, released Friday, showed that Americans’ attitudes toward the economy improved notably this month, rising 2% from August, according to a preliminary reading. That broke a monthslong spell of consumer sentiment mostly holding steady, aside from a modest increase last month. Expectations for inflation rates in the year head declined for the fourth-straight month in September, according to the report, reaching its lowest reading since December 2020.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, ” Joanne Tsu, ”, Harris, Trump Organizations: Washington CNN, University of Michigan’s, Consumers, ABC

☆ Harris and Trump battle to be the 'change' candidate: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

In today’s edition, senior political editor Mark Murray looks at how Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are trying to position themselves as the candidate of change. Poll shows Trump winning the 'change' argument — for nowBy Mark MurrayIt’s not too surprising that the latest national New York Times/Siena College poll finds a razor-close contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. In the NYT/Siena poll, 25% of likely voters said Harris represents major change and 15% said she represents minor change, while 55% said she represents more of the same. That’s compared with 53% of voters who see Trump as representing major change, 8% as minor change, and 34% as more the same. Breaking barriers in Delaware: State Sen. Sarah McBride is expected to take another step toward becoming the first transgender person elected to Congress.

Persons: Mark Murray, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Mark Murray It’s, It’s, Trump, Harris, Chuck Todd, “, Harris ’, Joe Biden’s, —, ” Harris, Biden, ” Trump, ” We’re, it’s Trump, Adam Wollner, Alexandra Marquez, Adam Edelman Tomorrow’s, Sen, Kelly Ayotte, Chris Sununu, Chuck Morse, Ayotte, Joyce Craig, Cinde Warmington, Amy Walter, Maggie Goodlander, Colin Van Ostern, Annie Kuster, who’s, Goodlander, Jake Sullivan, Hillary Clinton, Van Ostern, John Lynch, State Sen, Sarah McBride, McBride, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Tom Carper, Blunt Rochester, she’s, Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks, hat’s Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Trump, New York Times, Siena, it’s Trump who’s, Rhode, Republican, Democrats, Manchester, Democratic, Biden White House, Justice Department, Council, Rep, Delaware’s, Democratic National Convention, Delaware Democrat, Senate Locations: Siena, New Hampshire , Delaware, North Carolina, state’s, New Hampshire, Granite, Kuster, Delaware, State, Congress

☆ Fact checking the CNN presidential debate
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Cnn Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +69 min

CNN —President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off during CNN’s presidential debate in Atlanta Thursday night. From CNN’s Daniel DaleFormer President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden debate at CNN's Atlanta studios on June 27, 2024. From CNN’s Daniel Dale and Ella NilsenFormer President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden take part in the CNN presidential debate on Thursday, June 27. From CNN’s Alicia WallaceFormer President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden debate at CNN's Atlanta studios on June 27, 2024. Kpler found that China imported about 511,000 barrels per day of Iranian crude in December 2020, Trump’s last full month in office.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump “, “, ” Trump, ”, Trump, ” John Kelly, servicemembers, Kelly, Jim Sciutto, Daniel Dale, Kaanita Iyer, Roe, Wade, That’s, Wade ”, Kimberly Mutcherson, “ Donald Trump’s, Maya Manian, Trump’s, Mary Ziegler, Davis, Ziegler, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Roe should’ve, ’, Will Lanzoni, ” Biden, corpsman —, Hamid Karzai, CNN’s Haley Britzky, didn’t, Priscilla Alvarez, George Floyd, Tim Walz, Walz, Paul –, CNN’s Holmes Lybrand, Daniel Dale FACT, European Union won’t, Ella Nilsen, Jill Biden, Jake Tapper, Dana Bash, Adam Rose, CNN US Sen, Marco Rubio, CNN Trump, Austin Steele, CNN Biden, Tristen Rouse, CNN Tapper, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, CNN MJ Lee, Mandel Ngan, Megan Varner, Reuters Kennedy, Burk Stringfellow, Iran “, Mike Pompeo, ” Pompeo, Tami Luhby Trump, CNN’s KFILE, weren’t, Hillary Clinton, affirmatively, it’s, what’s, –, Alicia Wallace, Obama, CNN’s Ella Nilsen, you’re, Biden’s, Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, Viktor Shokin, Shokin, CNN’s Marshall Cohen, “ It’s, Rick Muskat, CNN.So, Morgan, Katie Lobosco, Alvin Bragg’s, Bragg, Jack Smith, Smith, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Matthew Colangelo, Colangelo, I’ve, there’s, Iran haven’t, ” Matt Smith, Ali Vaez, Kpler, Gary Engelhardt, Jason Richwine, ” Richwine, Tami Luhby, Confederate, Robert E, Lee, marchthat, “ I’m, Elle Reeve, Ralph Northam, Jen Christensen, ” Trump’s, Ronald Reagan’s, Barack Obama, George W, ‘, ’ ” Trump, CNN’s Jen Christensen, Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi, “ Nancy Pelosi, …, Alexandra Pelosi, Aaron Bennett, Cherry, Christopher Miller, Miller, Charis Kubrin, CNN’s Catherine Shoichet, ” Kubrin’s, Graham Ousey, College of William & Mary, Erwan, George Washington, Marshall Cohen, ” Howard Gleckman, Gleckman, Emmanuel Saez, Gabriel Zucman “, Howard Gleckman, ” Gleckman Organizations: CNN, Trump, Homeland Security, SSRS, Marquette Law School, NBC, Gallup, ” Rutgers Law, American University, university’s Health, University of California, Atlanta, US Navy, Border Patrol, Border Patrol Council, National Guard, Minneapolis Former, Minnesota Democratic Gov, Minnesota National Guard, Guard, EU, European Union, US, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, CNN US, Biden, House, CNN Biden's, CNN Biden, White House, Getty, Reuters, State, Medicare, Black, of Labor Statistics, Republican, Burisma Holdings, International Monetary Fund, Republicans, House Republicans, US International Trade Commission, US Customs, Deer Stags, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Justice Department, DOJ, DC, federal, Department, Democrat, Americas, Crisis, Social Security, Social, General Internal Medicine, “, Syracuse University, Center for Immigration Studies, Electoral, White, Nazi, US Centers for Disease Control, Former Virginia Gov, United, China Former, China, Hamas, ISIS, Trump’s, Democratic, Congressional, Capitol, Colorado Supreme Court, US Food, Guttmacher Institute, California Democrat, Capitol Police Board, Senate, District of Columbia National Guard, College of William &, NATO, Atlantic Treaty Organization, George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, Transatlantic, Urban, Brookings Tax, Urban Institute, ”, Tax, Center Locations: Atlanta, France, Afghanistan, Kabul, Jordan, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Yakushima Island, Japan, Minneapolis, Portland, Minnesota , Minneapolis, St, EU, Georgia, CNN's, Washington ,, AFP, Lebanon, Israel, what’s, Paris, China, India, Russia, United States, Ukrainian, Ukraine, lockstep, American, Manhattan, New York , Georgia, Florida, Washington, New York, York’s, Mexico, Kpler, Malaysia, Charlottesville, Charlottesville , Virginia, White, Virginia, Northam, East, “, New York City, Saudi, al Qaeda, Texas, Colorado, California, Trump, Irvine, Germany, Berkeley

Coming into and through 2019, the economy was strong and the Consumer Price Index, a key measure of inflation, was low. For some, that seemed like a bad thing — economists worried that chronically low inflation could increase the risk of future economic stagnation. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index, a slightly delayed price measure that the Fed uses for its 2 percent inflation target, similarly fell. Within a few months, inflation began to pick up. Price jumps began to moderate even in service categories, which made economists hope that the deceleration might be the real deal.

Persons: —, Biden, Donald J, Trump, Price, ” Jerome H, Powell, ” Mr Organizations: Fed, Consumer, Federal Locations: Covid, Ukraine, blowups

☆ Wall Street’s facing an economic double-whammy this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Despite the rare event, it’s unlikely the stock market will swing widely because of the economic two-fer, some investors say. Inflation showed signs of cooling in April after staying worryingly warm during the first quarter of this year. America’s rural hospitals keep getting attacked by cybercriminals. Microsoft said in a statement to CNN that it would provide free security updates for eligible rural hospitals, as well as security assessments and training for hospital staff. Google will provide free cybersecurity advice to rural hospitals and start a pilot program to match the firm’s cybersecurity services with the needs of rural hospitals.

Persons: Powell, ”, Dave Sekera, Alicia Wallace, Sean Lyngaas, Michelle Watson Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, CPI, Bank of America, Morningstar, Investors, Traders, Fed, UBS, Federal Reserve Bank of New, The, Consumer, cybercriminals, Microsoft, Google, White, CNN, White House National Security Council Locations: New York, pare, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, York, United States

☆ Americans are feeling rosier about their finances, the stock market and inflation’s decline
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The New York Fed’s May Survey of Consumer Expectations showed improvement of people’s perceptions of their current financial situation as well as their outlook for a year from now. Households’ expectations for highest US stock prices improved to a three-year high. In May, home price expectations were still high, unchanged from the month before; however, inflation expectations dipped — and that’s a good sign for the Federal Reserve. Monday’s survey showed that the three- and five-year inflation expectations were unchanged. When the April CPI showed inflation on a cooler trajectory than it had started the year, the major US stock indexes all surged to record highs.

Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve Bank of New, The, Consumer, Survey, Federal Reserve Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, York

☆ Inflation seems to be cooling again. Americans aren’t buying it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A slew of big-box retailers have lowered prices on items in recent weeks, citing moderating inflation and frugal customers. Recent economic data has also suggested that inflation is cooling, after data earlier this year spurred fears that progress had stalled. Yet Americans don’t seem convinced that inflation is moderating or that the economy is as healthy as indicators suggest. Mortgage rates have declined in recent weeks but remain near 7%. Target announced plans to cut prices on thousands of consumer basics as inflation cuts into household budgets.

Persons: aren’t, Charles Schwab’s, ”, James Kostulias, Charles Schwab, Joe Raedle, Jerome Powell, Powell, Neel Kashkari, “ I’m, Schumer, Chuck Schumer, General Merrick Garland, “, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Dick Durbin, Scott Sheffield, Read, Matt Egan, Mat Ishbia, homebuyers, refinances Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Walmart, Target, Ikea, Aldi, CPI, “ Traders, Minneapolis Federal, CNBC, Democrats, Justice Department, Oil, Big Oil, DOJ, Big, Federal Trade Commission, United Wholesale Mortgage, Phoenix Suns NBA Locations: New York, Miami , Florida, Minneapolis, Texas, Sens

☆ Mortgage rates fall for the third straight week, dipping below 7%
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —Mortgage rates declined for the third consecutive week in a shred of good news for Americans dealing with a still-tough housing market. Mortgage rates track the benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield, which moves in anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s decisions on interest rates. Stubbornly high inflation this year has dashed hopes that the Fed could cut interest rates in the spring or in the summer. Some Fed officials said earlier this week that they likely won’t raise interest rates again and a few have said they expect to cut rates this year. With mortgage rates still elevated, some homeowners are deciding to stay put.

Persons: Freddie Mac, inflation’s cooldown, there’s, homebuyers, ” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, That’s, ” Lawrence Yun, ”, Yun, Joe Biden Organizations: Washington CNN —, Treasury, National Association of Realtors, Fed, Housing Locations: San Diego, Chicago, Detroit

☆ Home sales: Prices in the US housing market continue to climb
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Rising US home prices are heightening the housing affordability crisis for Americans, especially first-time buyers. Housing affordability takes into account prices, household incomes and mortgage rates. Sales fell in April for the second month in a row as mortgage rates surged past 7%. Mortgage rates track the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note, which moves in anticipation of the Fed’s decisions on interest rates. Low housing affordability typically crimps demand.

Persons: it’s, ”, Lawrence Yun, Freddie Mac Organizations: Washington CNN —, National Association of Realtors, Global, NAR, Federal Reserve, Fed, Treasury Locations: San Diego, Chicago, Detroit, America, ”

☆ Live Updates: Inflation Expected to Cool Slightly
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ben Casselman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

Housing Inflation Remains Stubbornly High Economists had expected two measures of rental inflation to fade in 2023 and 2024, but that process is taking time to play out. There are two main measures of inflation in America, the Consumer Price Index and the Personal Consumption Expenditures index. Consumer Price Index Inflation Remains Hotter The Consumer Price Index is climbing faster than the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, in large part because it weights housing more heavily. With housing, Consumer Price Index inflation totaled 3.5 percent in March. But the convergence between new and existing rent inflation is taking a lot longer than expected.

Persons: There’s, “ It’s, ”, Mark Zandi, Biden, Zandi, grousing, “, O.E.R, We’re, would’ve, Mark Franceski, I’ve, Ernie Tedeschi, Tedeschi Organizations: New York Times, Federal Reserve, Index, Housing, Zelman, Associates, White House Council, Economic Advisers Locations: America, bam, Europe

☆ Interest rates: It’s a mystery when the Fed will begin to cut them
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —Nowadays, it’s anyone’s guess when the Federal Reserve will begin to cut interest rates this year — if at all. Fed officials are meeting this week, starting Tuesday, to discuss rates and set policy. That guidance will be key for market observers who clearly have divergent views on interest rates. Forecasts from major Wall Street banks on the first rate cut are all over the place: JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs expect the first cut in July, while Wells Fargo is betting on September. Some Fed policymakers, meanwhile, have even floated the possibility of a rate hike, instead of a cut.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Wall, Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab, Jerome Powell, “, ” Kathleen Grace, John Towfighi, That’s, nearshoring, Alberto Ramos, Ramos, Morgan Stanley, Read, Cindy Westman, —, Brian Fung, Jason Carroll, I’ll, ”, Westman, ’, Westman — Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, JPMorgan, Bank of America, CNN, Labor Department, Manufacturing, Commerce Department, Program, Social Locations: Washington, Wells, Mexico, —, China, United States, Eureka , Illinois

☆ Bets on Rate Cuts This Year Are Fading Away
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | More About Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At the start of 2024, investors expected the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates substantially this year as inflation cooled. Investors and economists are questioning when and how much Fed policymakers will manage to cut rates — and some are increasingly dubious that Fed officials will manage to lower them at all this year. Inflation’s stickiness has prompted Fed officials to signal that it may take longer to reduce interest rates than they had previously expected. Policymakers raised interest rates to 5.33 percent between March 2022 and last summer, and have held them there since. Investors who came into the year expecting a first rate cut by March have pushed back those expectations to September or later.

Persons: Inflation’s stickiness Organizations: Federal Reserve, Investors

☆ The US dollar is strengthening. Here’s what’s driving the rally and what it means for Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

What does the dollar rally mean internationally? The US Commerce Department releases March figures on new orders for durable goods. The US Commerce Department releases its first estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product. The US Labor Department reports the number of new applications for unemployment benefits in the week ended April 20. The US Commerce Department releases March figures on household spending, income and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

Persons: it’s, Michelle Bowman, Bell, Claudio Irigoyen, It’s, Samantha Delouya, ”, eMarketer, Ross Benes, Wall, Read, Lockheed Martin, Raymond James, Northrop Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Bank of America, Netflix, Verizon, Truist, Albertsons, The Chicago Fed, Visa, Tesla, Pepsico, Novartis, UPS, Lockheed, Banco Santander, Spotify, General Motors, Halliburton, Global, US Commerce Department, Meta, IBM, Boeing, Chipotle, Hilton, Ford, Hasbro, Whirlpool, Wyndham, Microsoft, Mobile, Caterpillar, Comcast, Intel, P Global, Honeywell, Gilead, Northrop Grumman, Valero, Capital, Nasdaq, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Citizens Financial, US Labor Department, National Association of Realtors, Bank of Japan, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, HCA Healthcare, Colgate, Palmolive, Phillips, Charter Communications, University of Michigan Locations: Europe, Japan, China, Roku

☆ Wall Street wants answers from big banks about the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Big banks kick off earnings season Friday. “Earnings season just became significantly more important,” said JJ Kinahan, chief executive of IG North America, in a Wednesday note. On one hand, lofty rates could help pad banks’ net interest income, since they can charge a higher borrowing rate for loans and mortgages. Inflation has been a bane on Biden’s presidency, with voters consistently giving him low marks for his handling of the economy. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said that policymakers want to see more evidence that inflation is headed toward their 2% goal.

Persons: ”, JJ Kinahan, JPMorgan, Wells, You’ll, Carol Schleif, Wall, Jamie Dimon, “, Alicia Wallace, Friday’s, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Bryan Mena, Jerome Powell, Powell Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, IG North America, JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, Citigroup, PNC Financial Services, BMO Family Office, Federal Reserve, Wall, Traders, Bureau of Labor Statistics, —, Federal, Fed Locations: New York, Wells Fargo, pare

☆ Housing Costs Continued to Rise Faster Than Before the Pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Ben Casselman | More About Ben Casselman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Housing costs rose 0.4 percent in March and were up 5.7 percent from a year earlier, both unchanged from the month before. Shelter inflation has cooled since last year, when it peaked at more than 8 percent, but lately that progress has slowed. Housing is by far the largest monthly expense for most families, which means it also weighs heavily in inflation calculations. Before the pandemic, shelter costs rose at a rate of about 3.5 percent per year. Housing costs in the Consumer Price Index are based on rents.

Organizations: Federal Reserve

☆ Fed officials are now considering fewer rate cuts this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That’s because some Federal Reserve officials are reconsidering forecasts they made three months ago that called for three rate cuts this year. The stakes are high because there are consequences if the Fed cuts rates soon or if it leaves rates where they’ve been for the past eight months. First rate cut hinges on inflation dataIn February, Bostic told CNN that the first rate cut could come “sometime in the summertime.” That’s also Wall Street’s current expectation. He hasn’t specified — and is unlikely to signal — the number of rate cuts he believes are appropriate for this year. He has cheered inflation’s descent and said further improvement could open the door to rate cuts — if that actually bears out.

Persons: they’ve, Raphael Bostic, ” Bostic, Bostic, That’s, Powell hasn’t, Price, Nam, ” David Page, Powell, Rather, Jerome Powell, Chip Somodevilla, Lisa Cook, Austan Goolsbee, ”, we’ve, we’re, Goolsbee, Christopher Waller Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, Atlanta Fed, Index, AXA, Federal, ”, Harvard University, Chicago, Yahoo Finance, Fed, San Francisco Fed Locations: New York

☆ Here’s why the Fed doesn’t see a US recession in coming years
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“The economy is strong, the labor market is strong and inflation has come way down,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday. Fed officials continue to expect three rate cuts this year but the days of ultra-low interest rates are long gone. Up NextMonday: The Chicago Fed releases its National Activity Index for February. The US Commerce Department releases February data on sales of new single-family homes. The US Commerce Department releases February data on household spending, income and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Jerome Powell, Mike Skordeles, Skordeles, ” Stephanie Lang, Homrich Berg, ”, Clare Duffy, Reddit, Read, Lisa Cook, Christopher Waller Organizations: Washington CNN, Fed, Truist Advisory Services, CNN, Atlanta Fed, Employers, New York Stock Exchange, Trading, IPOs, Chicago Fed, US Commerce Department, McCormick, GameStop, Global, Board, Wednesday, Walgreens Boots Alliance, US Labor Department, University of Michigan, National Association of Realtors

☆ McDonald’s prices are up, so lower-income consumers are eating at home
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“It’s a challenging consumer environment,” said Ian Borden, McDonald’s CFO, noting that many consumers are trying to manage inflation, higher interest rates and dwindling savings. That includes their spending on food at restaurants such as McDonald’s, fast-food restaurants that historically prize value and affordability as core business values. According to February inflation data in the Consumer Price Index, food at home prices grew 1% year over year, while restaurant prices rose 4.5% over the last year. But the current surge in restaurant prices has flipped the script from a year ago, when it was cheaper to dine out. At that time, restaurant prices were up 8.4% and grocery prices were up 10.2% year over year.

Persons: “, ”, Ian Borden, ” Borden, Borden, McDonald’s, Dollar Organizations: New, New York CNN, Consumers, Company, Dollar General, Walmart Locations: New York, United States

☆ Fed Chair Powell says there’s no rush to cut interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington, DC CNN —The Federal Reserve is in no rush to cut interest rates, according to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s written testimony submitted to congressional lawmakers, released Wednesday. Recent economic data showed that price pressures persisted in January, leading investors to recalibrate their expectations for rate cuts this year. Still, the timing and pace of rate cuts remains up in the air. Too soon to cut rates? In a recent interview with CNBC, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said “we’ll see” if the Fed cuts rates in 2024.

Persons: Jerome Powell’s, Powell’s, inflation’s, ”, José Torres, “ Young, there’s, Raphael Bostic, Thomas Barkin, “, “ I’m, Austan Goolsbee, we’re, Adriana Kugler Organizations: DC CNN, Federal, Fed, Financial, “, Interactive Brokers, CNN, Atlanta Fed, CNBC, Richmond Fed, Congress, Chicago Fed, ”, Stanford University Locations: Washington

☆ Rate cuts likely won’t happen until the summer, Atlanta Fed chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Looking past a March cutSince the Fed’s first policy meeting this year, officials have worked together to temper market expectations on the timing of interest rate cuts. Bostic’s views on when it makes sense to start cutting rates are further out than the mid-year expectations most Fed officials have expressed, which is in line with current market expectations. In total, Fed officials anticipate three rate cuts this year, according to their latest Summary of Economic Projections, published at the end of last year. Economists expect the annual overall inflation rate measured by the Consumer Price Index to fall to 2.9% from December’s headline reading, according to FactSet consensus estimates. Fed officials like himself, he said, “live the economy too.”“I have to go to the grocery store like everybody else.

Persons: Don’t, Raphael Bostic, ”, Bostic, he’s, they’ve “, Jerome Powell, “ It’s, ” Bostic, “ I’ve, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Atlanta Fed, Federal, CNN, CBS, Consumer Locations: New York, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana , Mississippi, Tennessee

☆ Fed Chair Powell: The ‘time is coming’ for a rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the time is coming for interest rate cuts, but asked Americans for a bit more patience in the central bank’s fight against inflation. That means the Fed is due to cut rates in 2024, which officials themselves projected in December. But the central bank’s January policy statement pushed back on expectations of the first rate cut coming at their next meeting in March. Still, financial markets see a 20% chance the Fed will cut rates in March and a 71.3% chance they cut in May, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. But that hasn’t stopped Congress from pressuring Powell to cut rates.

Persons: Jerome Powell, “ We’ve, ” Powell, ”, Price, Powell, “, Scott Pelley, can’t, hasn’t, Democratic Sen, Sherrod Brown, ” Brown, Brown, Elizabeth Warren, we’re Organizations: New, New York CNN — Federal, CBS, Fed, Federal Reserve, Governors, Democratic, Banking, New York Community Bancorp, New York Community Locations: New York, Street, Ukraine, Asia, ”

The latest jobs data shows that America's job market remains shockingly robust in the face of the highest interest rates in 23 years. And the January report could have finally quelled Wall Street's belief that the Federal Reserve could start to cut interest rates as soon as March, according to futures. About a month ago, the odds of a March cut were north of 75%, but as of Friday morning, they were at 19.5%. The Fed's March 19-20 meeting is still several weeks away and many economic reports are due by then, but investors finally seem to be coming to grip with what Fed officials have been communicating all along. The January jobs report shows that demand is expected to remain solid, with Americans employed and enjoying strong wage growth.

Persons: Jerome Powell, “ Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed

☆ Fed meeting walkup: Chair Powell expected to announce rates will hold steady
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Washington, DC CNN —The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady Wednesday for the fourth consecutive meeting, leaving them at a 23-year high as policymakers likely discuss the timing of rate cuts. That’s because, if inflation drifts lower but interest rates remain elevated, it causes “real” interest rates to rise, unnecessarily squeezing the economy and risking job losses. A rapidly weakening economy threatening mass job losses is an obvious reason to cut rates, which most economists aren’t currently forecasting. But another concern that has gained some traction is the rise of inflation-adjusted interest rates, which is an argument for rate cuts. The Fed is set to announce its latest policy decision at 2 pm ET on Wednesday, followed by a press conference from Chair Powell at 2:30 pm ET.

Persons: Jerome Powell’s, —, ” Sarah House, “, ”, Christopher Waller, it’s, Mary Daly, they’re, aren’t, Austan Goolsbee, Subadra Rajappa, Générale, Powell Organizations: DC CNN, Federal Reserve, Fed, CNN, ” San Francisco Fed, Fox Business, Chicago Fed, CNBC, PCE, Labor Department Locations: Washington, Wells, ” San

☆ The Fed keeps interest rates on hold — and signals cuts aren’t coming soon
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

That’s the Fed’s latest attempt at giving Wall Street a reality check on rate cuts. Fed officials have been communicating that sentiment for weeks now, and Wednesday’s statement is yet another signal from the Fed that investors need to rethink their bets. In early January, futures showed that rate cuts were very likely going to happen in March, but those odds have since crumbled, and they may continue to dip. There are consequences if the Fed cuts rates too soon and if it cuts too late. Fed officials have said they likely need to see “below-trend growth” to be assured that inflation is on its way to 2%.

Persons: Price, “, ”, Jerome Powell, Subadra Rajappa, Générale Organizations: DC CNN, Federal Reserve, CNN, Fed Locations: Washington

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