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☆ Inflation eases in April with consumer prices rising 3.4% from a year ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The consumer price index, a broad measure of how much goods and services cost at the cash register, increased 0.3% from March, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Services reported Wednesday. Excluding food and energy, the key core inflation reading came in at 0.3% monthly and 3.6% on an annual basis, both as forecast. The core 12-month inflation reading was the lowest since April 2021. Futures traders raised the implied probability that the Federal Reserve would start cutting interest rates in September. That figure is adjusted for seasonality but not inflation, suggesting consumers did not keep up with the pace of price increases.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Services, Markets, Treasury, Federal Reserve

☆ Bitcoin is having its best day since March following cooler April inflation reading
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Bitcoin is likely to remain rangebound and trade along with macro data points, until we see a clearer path for rate cut." Bitcoin jumped with stocks on Wednesday after the April consumer price index showed inflation eased from the previous month. The consumer price index, a broad measure of how much goods and services cost at the cash register, increased 0.3% from March, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Earlier this week, bitcoin also sat out a two-day revival of the meme stock craze. With Wednesday's gain, bitcoin is now up 7% for the week — its best week since March 29 — and on pace to break a six-week slide.

Persons: Owen Lau, Oppenheimer, bitcoin, Bitcoin, Dow Jones, Leena ElDeeb, ElDeeb, Jeff Cox, Nick Wells Organizations: CNBC, Metrics, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Investors

☆ Treasury yields fall ahead of fresh consumer inflation figures
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The 2-year Treasury yield was last at 4.8061% after falling by over one basis point. U.S. Treasury yields were lower on Wednesday is investors considered the outlook for inflationary pressures and awaited the latest consumer price index data. The producer price index for April, which tracks wholesale prices, came in higher than expected on Tuesday. This comes ahead of the consumer price index for April which is expected to be released Wednesday. On an annual basis, inflation is anticipated to slow slightly to 3.4% from 3.5% in March.

Persons: Dow Jones, Jerome Powell Organizations: Treasury, Investors, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, PPI, Core CPI

☆ Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Emily Flitter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

If your car broke down two years ago, it probably became a bigger problem than you bargained for. A confluence of forces were to blame: The Covid pandemic disrupted supply chains, pushing used car prices to record highs and making spare parts hard to get; out-of-practice drivers emerging from lockdowns caused more severe wrecks; and technological advancements like motion sensors made even the simplest parts, like a fender or a rim, expensive to replace. Things have since improved for car owners — except when it comes to insurance bills. Car insurers are still raising prices steeply: The price of motor vehicle insurance rose more than 22 percent in the year through March, the fastest pace since the 1970s, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to calculations by the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group, the average 12-month premium for car insurance was $1,280 in 2023, the industry’s most recent figures.

Organizations: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Insurance Information Institute

☆ US inflation slowed in April, providing a glimmer of hope for weary Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —After a hot start to 2024, inflation cooled back down in April, providing a bit of hope for Americans worn down by elevated prices. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.3%, a slower pace of growth than the 0.4% seen in the two months prior. Rising gasoline and shelter costs accounted for more than 70% of the monthly increase in overall inflation, according to the report. Wednesday’s report landed mostly in line with economists’ expectations, which is a welcome turnabout from January, February and March, when CPI (and other inflation gauges) came in hot, hot, hot. The Federal Reserve has been wanting to see meaningful process on inflation before it starts trimming back interest rates.

Persons: Wednesday’s Organizations: CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI, Federal Reserve

☆ Grocery prices are finally falling
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Food shoppers can finally breathe a slight sigh of relief: After years of increases followed by months of plateau, grocery prices fell last month. Grocery prices retreated 0.2% from March to April, adjusted for seasonal swings, according to inflation data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But back in February, overall food prices remained flat for the first time since April 2023. Fast food prices jumpWhile grocery prices have been moderating, menu prices remain high, especially at fast food spots. At sit-down restaurants, prices went up 3.4%, while at limited-service restaurants — where you’re served at the counter — prices rose 4.8%.

Persons: Milk, you’re, McDonald’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: New York, Ukraine, Texas, —, McDonald’s

☆ Here's everything to expect from Wednesday's key report on inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I expect that inflation will move back down on a monthly basis to levels that were more like the lower readings we were having last year," he told attendees at a banking conference. So we're just going to have to see where the inflation data fall out." The index, a proxy for wholesale prices, accelerated 2.2% on an annual basis, the highest reading in a year. "This will be the most important read of the month [excluding nonfarm payrolls] as inflation continues to defy expectations," said Dan North, senior economist at Allianz Trade North America. Even if the report comes in around consensus expectations, it will be "inadequate progress for the Fed to consider a cut until September," he added.

Persons: Frederic J, Brown, Dow Jones, Jerome Powell, we're, Dan North Organizations: AFP, Getty, Federal Reserve, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Allianz Trade North, Fed Locations: Rosemead , California, Amsterdam, Allianz Trade North America

☆ US wholesale inflation just hit its highest rate in a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Wholesale inflation picked up in April to its highest rate in a year, as price hikes continue to weigh on American businesses and hamstring the Federal Reserve’s plans to cut interest rates. While higher energy costs (up 2% in April) pushed goods prices higher, services inflation is what drove the overall PPI higher. Even when excluding the volatile components of food and energy, “core” PPI accelerated instead of slowing as economists had anticipated. The core index was up 2.4% for the 12 months ended in April — the highest annual rate since August of last year. March’s core PPI was revised down to show that prices fell 0.1% from March and rose 2.1% annually.

Persons: Price Organizations: CNN, of Labor Statistics, PPI

☆ Texas' labor market is booming. Here are the 26 highest-paying jobs in the Lone Star State.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Texas is seeing a strong labor market, with record-high employment figures. Business Insider looked at Bureau of Labor Statistics data to check out how pay looks in Texas. Texas' best-paying jobs are athletes and sports competitors, but around two dozen jobs pay over $175,000 on average. March data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the state has a record-high number of people in the labor force and a record-high number of jobs. Starting in June 2023, the unemployment rate in Texas has consistently been 3.9%, and the rate has been close to or at the national unemployment rate during 2024 so far.

Persons: — Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Service, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Locations: Texas . Texas, Texas

☆ Trading CPI: How stocks could react to Wednesday’s inflation report
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Fred Imbert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Traders at JPMorgan broke down how they expect stocks will react to Wednesday's report, with a focus on core CPI month over month, based on six different scenarios: 40% chance — The reading rises 0.3%-0.35%: This is the most likely outcome, per JPMorgan traders. S & P 500 moves could range between a 0.5% loss and a 1% gain. 10% chance — Core inflation climbs more than 0.4%: The S & P 500 would drop 1.75% to 2.5% under such a hot report, JPMorgan traders think. 7.5% chance — Core CPI gains 0.2%-0.25%: A decline in housing cost increases along with lower core goods prices could make this outcome possible. It would also send the S & P 500 up 1.5% to 2%, JPMorgan traders said.

Persons: Dow Jones, Defensives outperforming Organizations: CPI, Traders, JPMorgan, of Labor Statistics

☆ Wholesale prices rose 0.5% in April, more than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Wholesale prices jumped more than expected in April, putting up another potential roadblock to interest rate cuts anytime soon. Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, core PPI also increased 0.5% compared to the 0.2% Dow Jones estimate. On a year-over-year basis, wholesale inflation rose 2.2%, also the highest in a year. Core PPI inflation was at 2.4%, the biggest annual move since August 2023. Services prices boosted the wholesale inflation reading, rising 0.6% and accounting for about three-quarters of the headline gain, while the final demand goods index increased 0.4%.

Persons: Dow Jones, Chris Larkin, Morgan Stanley Organizations: Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, PPI, Reuters . Stock, BLS, Federal Reserve, Commerce, York

☆ Americans with a college degree say they'd need at least a $100K salary to change jobs. But roles that pay in that range are getting harder to find.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

As of the most recent March data, the average reservation wage for Americans with a college degree rose to a survey-high of $99,081, up from $97,270 in March 2023 and $81,758 in March 2020. It means that not as many Americans are landing new jobs that pay in the six-figure range. The average reservation wage for people without a degree was $68,390, up from $59,683 in March 2023 and $48,778 in March 2020. The average reservation wage among all respondents was $81,822, up from $75,811 and $61,377 in March 2020. AdvertisementAre you struggling to find a six-figure job?

Persons: —, it's Organizations: Service, York Fed's Survey, Consumer, Business, Bureau of Labor Statistics, of Labor Statistics, New, New York Fed Locations: York, New York

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.09% last week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.38% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a nine-basis-point decrease from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which is likely to happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: Freddie Mac Organizations: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Bank, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

☆ Dollar slips after unexpected rise in U.S. producer prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Euros, U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Russian rubles and Czech korunas lie on a table as banknotes. The dollar was slightly lower on Tuesday after an initial jump following an unexpected increase in U.S. producer prices in April that indicated inflation remained elevated early in the second quarter. The producer price index for final demand rose 0.5% last month after falling by a downwardly revised 0.1% in March, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Tuesday. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six rivals, was down 0.18% at 105.03. The dollar strengthened against the yen, up 0.15% at 156.43.

Organizations: Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: Czech

☆ 'This is where you start bear markets from': A notorious bear who called the 2000 and 2008 crashes warns stock-market conditions resemble a major peak more than any time in the last 100 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The gauge is shown below in green and red alongside S&P 500 price action in blue. Most strategists at major Wall Street banks, meanwhile, generally see the S&P 500 staying above 5,000 through 2024. And as the stock market ground mostly higher, he persisted with his doomsday calls. He predicted in April 2007 that the S&P 500 could lose 40%, then it lost 55% in the subsequent collapse from 2007 to 2009. The S&P 500, by comparison, is up about 26% over the past year.

Persons: Jeremy Grantham, John Hussman, he's, Hussman, —, it's, Warren Buffett, there's, David Rosenberg Organizations: Hussman Investment Trust, Business, CPS, Federal Reserve, Rosenberg Research, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Dynamics, bullish

☆ Fast food is expensive. Applebee’s and Chili’s are moving in
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For them, and the fast food chains they’re now competing against, the stakes are high. “Fast food has gotten really expensive,” Henkes said. On X, Chili’s asked whether Chili’s is better than fast food, and promised rewards to those who said yes. Chili’s also ran video ads comparing its food favorably to fast food burgers. “People go to sit-down restaurants, generally speaking, for different occasions, than they go to fast food restaurants,” he noted.

Persons: New York CNN — McDonald’s, Applebee’s, ” John Peyton, it’s, Peyton, “, ”, Henkes, McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, Ian Borden, we’ve, Chili’s, Kevin Hochman, Chili's, Jeffery Greenberg, David Henkes, ” Henkes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Dine Brands, CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bloomberg, Applebee’s, Brinker International, Universal, “ Locations: New York, McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Technomic

Average 30-year mortgage rates dropped this week and have been hovering in the upper 6% range, according to Zillow data. As inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start lowering the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should go down. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Down (-0.18%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.11%, 18 basis points lower than last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall (-0.28%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 6.99%, 28 basis points lower than last week.

Persons: you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Reserve, Investors, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ Planet Fitness is ditching the $10 membership it has had for 26 years, and hiking basic prices by 50%
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Planet Fitness is hiking the price of its Classic Card membership plan by 50% to $15 a month. AdvertisementPlanet Fitness is hiking the price of its basic membership plan by 50% after holding it at $10 a month for 26 years. Benson said that Planet Fitness had started testing $12.99 and $15 price points in the fall. AdvertisementAround the time that the new Classic Card price is introduced, Planet Fitness will start testing new prices for the Black Card, Benson said. As part of the Classic Card price change, Planet Fitness plans to focus more heavily on its "price for life" policy, Benson said.

Persons: —, Craig Benson, Thomas Fitzgerald, Benson, Fitzgerald, Chris Rondeau Organizations: Service, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black Card, Black

☆ Donald Trump Could Hardly Be More Wrong About Inflation - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Peter Coy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Trump also described inflation as “a country buster” that destroyed Germany, presumably referring to the hyperinflation of 1923, which was the year of Adolf Hitler’s failed beer-hall putsch. Even for Trump, who loves to work up a crowd, that’s too far. President Biden does have an inflation problem, but it’s not a Weimar Germany kind of problem. I won’t get into why Americans are so upset about inflation that they might choose Trump over Biden in November. I want to look at a different question, which is whether inflation would be lower if Trump won.

Persons: Donald Trump, “, Trump, Adolf Hitler’s, Biden, it’s, States ’, Binyamin Appelbaum, Paul Krugman Organizations: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Biden, Trump Locations: Waukesha, Wis, Germany, Weimar Germany, States

☆ For adults, autism diagnosis can unlock a new life
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Matt Villano | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Jesse Grant/Getty ImagesFor some, an adult autism diagnosis is an inflection point — the moment in which a clearer and more fulfilling existence starts anew. Whatever the perspective, an adult autism diagnosis is an identity builder, instantaneously minting new members of the growing autism community. How to get help Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters. “This is why a diagnosis can be so important.”An autism diagnosis can be everythingAdults are seeking formal autism diagnoses in record numbers, according to providers and practitioners who specialize in autism. “Getting an autism diagnosis, becoming part of the autism community, has completely recontextualized my life,” said Sellergren, who was diagnosed in 2021 at age 44.

Persons: CNN — John Frizzell, David Hume, ”, Frizzell, Beavis, John Frizzell, Jesse Grant, —, Lindsay Naeder, Michael Chez, Ingrid Boveda, Boveda, ‘, Quinten Harvey, ” Harvey, “, Vanessa Bal, Bal, neurodivergence, Autism, Naeder, Ed Asner, Spencer Harte, Harte, I’m, ” Harte, “ I’m, Bird Sellergren, Sellergren, ” Matt Villano Organizations: CNN, “, US Centers for Disease Control, Autism, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, Autism Society, Research, Sutter Institute for Medical Research, Harvey Psychological Services, Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied, Professional, Rutgers, Team, Hollywood Locations: United States, Sacramento , California, Salt Lake City, neurodivergence, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Northern California, whalehead.com

☆ A millennial who went to college in his 30s when his career stalled says his Bachelor's degree is 'worthless' and that he's been looking for a job for 3 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A millennial quit his job in 2015 to pursue a college degree because his career growth had stalled. AdvertisementIn 2015, at age 34, Dan Colflesh decided to quit his job in the customer service industry and pursue a college degree. AdvertisementColflesh said he's been looking for work over the last few years and applied to more than 100 jobs. Colflesh has a few other theories for why his job search has been difficult. AdvertisementAre you a man who's not looking for work or has struggled to find a job?

Persons: he's, who've, —, Dan Colflesh, hasn't, Colflesh, it's, couldn't, He's Organizations: Service, University of Massachusetts, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Appalachian

☆ A millennial working 2 full-time jobs sometimes only gets 3 hours of sleep — but she's over halfway to saving $100,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

(Business Insider verified Lacerna's April paystubs.) Lacerna told Business Insider via email that she began working multiple jobs after immigrating to the US from the Philippines in 2018. Companies have different policies on employees working multiple jobs — some allow it, while others don't, which means anyone choosing to do so secretly could risk being fired. While sleep requirements vary from person to person, experts recommend adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. AdvertisementLacerna said in an email that she sometimes only gets two or three hours of sleep on days when she works both jobs.

Persons: —, Mitzi Lacerna, Lacerna, Jacob Zinkula —, she's, @mitzeyyyy, @sleepychomper, I’m, ake Organizations: Service, Business, Labor Statistics, Companies Locations: San Francisco, Philippines, TikTok

☆ Weekly jobless claims rise to highest level since August
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Lucy Bayly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —First-time applications for unemployment benefits rose last week to 231,000, the highest level since August, in another sign that the white-hot labor market is starting to cool off. Thursday’s data also showed that the number of continuing claims, or applications from people who have filed for unemployment for at least one week, was 1.78 million. That’s an increase of 17,000 from the prior week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9% last month, it’s the 27th consecutive month that the jobless rate has held under 4%, matching a streak last seen in the late 1960s. The Federal Reserve has been battling inflation by raising its key lending rate in the hopes of slowing the economy.

Persons: ”, Chris Rupkey, Jerome Powell, ” Ian Shepherdson, It’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, “, Federal Reserve, Pantheon Economics Locations: New York, Fwdbonds

☆ Less booze, more healthcare: How the spending habits of today's millennials compare to boomers 30 years ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In the intervening 33 years, how young adults spent their money changed dramatically. Millennials are spending a lot more on healthcare and rented housingHealth insurance spending stands out between the average young adult in 1989 versus in 2022. Based on average data, young adults were spending roughly 60% more on apartments and other rented housing. Before adjusting 1989 data for inflation, young adults in 2022 spent 304% more on fresh fruits than young adults in 1989. Based on our analysis, the average young adult in 2022 was spending more on nonalcoholic beverages and less on alcoholic beverages than the average young adult in 1989.

Persons: —, Harry Met Sally, millennials, Gen Zers, Grace Hill, Gen Organizations: Service, Nintendo Game, Business, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor, BLS, Pew Research Center, CPI, Gallup Locations: Millennials

☆ Equinox's new $40,000 membership promises to help you 'live 100 healthy years.' Longevity experts say doing these 4 simple things will work just as well.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Serafina Kenny | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewA luxury gym chain is launching a program costing $40,000 a year that it says will help clients to boost their longevity. But experts told Business Insider you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to enjoy a long, healthy life. The program, which will later be available in other states, aims to help customers "live 100 healthy years," Jonathan Swerdlin, co-founder of Function Health, told CNBC. Research suggests that weight, or strength, training is beneficial for longevity because it builds muscle mass, which helps maintain strength and mobility into older age. One 2022 study found that those who did 30 minutes of strength training a week were 10% to 20% less likely to die from chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Persons: —, Jonathan Swerdlin, Maveron, Dan Belsky, Robert N Butler, Michael Snyder, Snyder, Belsky, Virend Somers Organizations: Service, Function, CNBC, Business, Consulting, of Labor, Robert N Butler Columbia Aging Center, Center for Genomics, Medicine, Stanford University, Research, Mayo Clinic Locations: New York City, Highland Park , Texas

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