Consumer prices rose 3.5% from a year ago in March

The consumer price index accelerated at a faster-than-expected pace in March, pushing inflation higher and likely dashing hopes that the Federal Reserve will be able to cut interest rates anytime soon. The CPI, a broad measure of goods and services costs across the economy, rose 0.4% for the month, putting the 12-month inflation rate at … Read more

How the former Fed boss could shake up the Bank of England

Former Federal Reserve Board Chair Ben Bernanke speaks during a discussion on “Perspectives on Monetary Policy” during the Thomas Laubach Research Conference at the Federal Reserve Board building in Washington, DC, May 19, 2023. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images LONDON — The Bank of England will on Friday publish a long-awaited review by … Read more

Will the Fed cut rates this year?

The U.S. Federal Reserve is determined not to reduce interest rates too soon — and some economists say recent data has pushed a summer cut completely off the table. Friday’s jobs report reiterated the seemingly unwavering strength of the U.S. labor market and suggested further need for Fed caution. All eyes will now be on … Read more

Yellen says she won’t rule out possible tariffs on China’s green exports

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on March 21, 2024, in Washington, DC.  Alex Wong | Getty Images U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday said she would not rule out any measures, including potential tariffs, on China’s green energy exports. “I wouldn’t rule out anything out at this point. We need to keep everything on … Read more

El-Erian says the Fed has turned into a play-by-play commentator

Mohamed Aly El-Erian, chief economic advisor for Allianz SE.  Bloomberg | Getty Images The U.S. Federal Reserve has become too data dependent and has lost sight of its overall strategy, Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor at Allianz, said Friday. The economist told CNBC that a longer-term, more strategic outlook could see policymakers settle on a … Read more

Job growth zoomed in March as payrolls jumped by 303,000 and unemployment dropped to 3.8%

Job creation in March easily topped expectations in a sign of continued acceleration for what has been a bustling and resilient labor market. Nonfarm payrolls increased 303,000 for the month, well above the Dow Jones estimate for a rise of 200,000 and higher than the downwardly revised 270,000 gain in February, the Labor Department’s Bureau … Read more

Fed Governor Bowman says additional rate hike could be needed if inflation stays high

US Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman attends a “Fed Listens” event at the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, DC, on October 4, 2019.  Eric Baradat | AFP | Getty Images Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said Friday that it’s possible interest rates may have to move higher to control inflation, rather than the cuts her … Read more

Here’s where the jobs are for March 2024 — in one chart

The U.S. labor market surprised economists with its strength once again, adding more than 300,000 jobs in March, with a few key sectors continuing to fuel its growth. Health care and social assistance were the top sector for job gains — a common theme in recent years — adding 81,300 jobs. Government and leisure and … Read more

McDonald’s to buy all 225 Israel franchise restaurants after boycott fallout

Jeff Greenberg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images McDonald’s signed a deal to purchase all 225 of the restaurants that comprise its Israel franchise, the American fast-food chain announced, following months of dramatically lower sales due to pro-Palestinian boycott action amid the Israel-Hamas war. The restaurant outlets in Israel have been owned by local … Read more

Free trade flaws fueled Trump’s rise in 2016 — and the problems remain, top economist says

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks after attending a wake for New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed while making a routine traffic stop on March 25 in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, in Massapequa Park, New York, U.S., March 28, 2024.  Shannon Stapleton | Reuters Decades … Read more