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☆ 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

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

☆ 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

☆ '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

☆ 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

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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ A 78-year-old receptionist fired a month after she was recognized as a top employee wins $78,000 in age-discrimination settlement
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewA retirement community in Columbus, Georgia, fired a 78-year-old receptionist because of her age shortly after she was taken to hospital with high blood pressure, a federal agency says. The worker, who had been a receptionist since 2007, was fired in February 2022, the EEOC said in the lawsuit. She was released two days later, the EEOC said, and doctors later told her it was the result of dehydration. AdvertisementThe Age Discrimination in Employment Act forbids age discrimination against people aged 40 or older, including in hiring and termination decisions.

Persons: —, BrightSpace, didn't, Brian Hendricks Organizations: Service, Retirement, US, Employment, Commission, Business, Employees, Covenant, CBS News, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: Columbus , Georgia, Louisiana

☆ As high-paying jobs become harder to get, more Americans are looking to Uber and Lyft for extra income
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Gig work, in particular ride-hailing for companies like Uber and Lyft, is getting more popular. AdvertisementMore and more Americans are taking up gig work for companies like Uber and Lyft — in part because some have fewer options to land high-paying jobs. Additionally, BofA found that people with ride-hailing income earned, on average, more a month than those who did delivery gig work. Vacation rental was the highest-earning gig BofA measured, but this is only accessible to people with a home to rent out. While some young people could value the supplementary income gig work can provide — particularly if they're struggling to pay the bills — others may end up disappointed.

Persons: Uber, —, Lyft, BofA, it's, they've, Kate Bahn, X, Gen, they're Organizations: Service, Bank of America, Bank of America Institute, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Institute for Women's, Research, Atlanta Fed, millennials

☆ A lesser-known recession indicator with a perfect track record over the last 11 downturns just signaled that trouble is coming. Here's when a recession could arrive — and why stocks are still safe for
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A Piper Sandler recession indicator says an economic downturn could be here. This indicator typically precedes official NBER recession announcements by about four months. But Chief Investment Strategist Michael Kantrowitz says stocks should still rise in the near-term. Popular recession indicators like the Treasury yield curve and The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index have been signaling for over a year now that a downturn is ahead. Last week, a lesser-known gauge — with just as impressive a track record — joined their ranks in warning of trouble ahead for the US economy.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Michael Kantrowitz, —, Piper Organizations: Conference, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business

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 7.22% last week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.47% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a three-basis-point increase 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: Jerome Powell, Freddie Mac Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Reserve, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed Locations: Chevron

☆ European markets set to rise with global sentiment remaining stable after U.S. jobs data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON — European markets are set to advance Monday as traders continue to assess the possibility of rate cuts after softer-than-expected U.S. jobs data. The French CAC 40 was set to open 50 points higher at 8,239 points, German DAX was expected to jump 60 points to 18,050. Friday's U.S. nonfarm payrolls report showed 175,000 jobs were added in April, below the 240,000 jobs expected by economists surveyed by Dow Jones. The unemployment rate edged up to 3.9% from 3.8% in the prior month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wage figures also came in lower than expected, an encouraging sign for inflation.

Persons: DAX, nonfarm, Dow Jones Organizations: CAC, Bureau of Labor Statistics

☆ Has the US cracked the code on avoiding recessions? It would be great news for your job security and stock portfolio.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

But some economists have argued that flawed historical economic data puts this claim in question. The further back you go — the NBER data goes to about 1850 — the more common recessions were. He said the NBER's pre-1914 recession data, in particular, is "very poor," and that only economic data collected after World War II is of good quality. "So the growing share of services also means you're going to have more stable economic growth." AdvertisementTo be sure, while a stable economy has its benefits, it's not the only indicator of a healthy economy.

Persons: —, they'll, haven't, George Selgin, what's, NBER, Selgin, Joseph H, Davis, Satyam Panday, Panday, it's, they've Organizations: Service, National Bureau of Economic Research, Cato Institute, of Labor Statistics didn't, US, Vanguard, US Department of Agriculture, Satyam, Federal Reserve, Fed

☆ 10-year Treasury yield holds below 4.5% after softer-than-expected U.S. jobs data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. Treasury yields were lower Monday, continuing a fall after Friday's April jobs report showed weaker-than-expected payrolls growth and an unexpected tick higher in unemployment. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was off 2 basis points to 4.4975%. The 2-year Treasury yield was slightly lower to 4.8056%. U.S. payrolls rose by just 175,000 last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday, short of the Dow Jones estimate from economists of 240,000. Wage growth was also less than expected, the report showed.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Treasury, of Labor Statistics

☆ Fast food chains are getting the message about soaring prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

To win penny-pinching customers back, some say they're planning smaller price increases for the rest of the year. Wendy's CFO Gunther Plosch told investors on Thursday that consumers are "still under pressure" — especially those with household incomes under $75,000. Chains raised prices drastically during the pandemic to offset rising labor and food costs, and it's coming back to bite them. For some restaurant chains, comparable sales even fell. McDonald's would "certainly" be "prudent and thoughtful" about any further price increases in the rest of 2024, Borden said.

Persons: —, Gunther Plosch, Ian Borden, Joshua Kobza, Burger, Popeyes, Burger King, Wendy's, William Blair, Sharon Zackfia, Borden, Katie Fogertey Organizations: Service, Starbucks, KFC, US, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: Burger, North America

Mortgage rates trended down a bit late last week, with 30-year mortgage rates dropping just below 7%, according to Zillow data. This is a sign that the economy is coming into better balance, which is good news for mortgage rates. Once inflation slows enough that the Federal Reserve is able to start lowering the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should trend down. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Investors, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

Once the Fed is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should trend 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 (-0.24%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.24%, 24 basis points lower than last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall Slightly (-0.06%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.36%, six basis points lower than last week. Mortgage rates also rose dramatically in 2023, though they started trending back down toward the end of the year.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Investors, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ Fast food feels more expensive than ever before, and people are sick of it. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Analysts say fast-food prices feel particularly painful because they're rising faster than grocery prices. Fast-food prices have been shooting upRestaurant prices are determined by "two major categories" — food costs and labor costs, Citi analyst Jon Tower told BI. Related storiesFast-food chains put up their menu prices to reflect the higher food costs and payrolls. AdvertisementGrocery inflation is coolingFast food seems particularly expensive right now because grocery inflation is cooling much more rapidly, analysts BI spoke to said. AdvertisementBut the inverse is also true — grocery stores benefit much more than restaurants when food inflation cools.

Persons: —, Jim Sanderson, Jon Tower, Sharon Zackfia, William Blair, Price, Danilo Gargiulo, Bernstein, Gargiulo, they've, Garguilo, Sara Senatore, Chad Frye Organizations: Analysts, Service, Northcoast Research, Citi, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bank of America Locations: Russia, Ukraine, California

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