Inflation

Someone at the Federal Reserve is probably smiling right now. Six years ago, the Fed set a “target” rate for inflation, a Goldilocks level of 2 percent. Not too high, as in out-of-control prices and not too low, signaling a weak economy. Today, inflation has finally inched up to that target. So, what does that mean for […]

President Donald Trump has long favored low interest rates, which are typically a boon for real estate developers. And he has criticized the Federal Reserve and the chairman he appointed, Jerome Powell, for pursuing a policy of gradual rate hikes initiated under former Fed Chair Janet Yellen. But maintaining a loose monetary policy could be […]

New inflation numbers were released Friday morning, and it’s a curious thing: the economy is going strong and consumers are spending, which tends to push prices up. And yet, we haven’t seen all that show up in the inflation numbers yet. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

The U.S. Census Bureau will release June retail sales data this morning. We already know that consumer spending is strong right now due in part to a tight labor market and inflation. But how are consumers financing their current spending spree and what are they spending on, exactly? Click the audio player above to hear the […]

The Fed is expected to raise interest rates today at the conclusion of a two-day meeting. The expected move comes as inflation inches up. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Inflation is kicking into gear. But it’s not clear economic activity will shift much higher. Higher prices and slow growth are some key ingredients for “stagflation.”  Is that where we’re headed? Click the audio player above to hear the full story.