We need to ‘take our time’ to get rate cuts right

The European Central Bank must take its time to get interest rate cuts right, the institution’s chief economist told CNBC, adding that companies should take a hit on profits to allow real wages to rise without fueling inflation. “A lot of evidence is accumulating, but what’s also fair to say is that the transition from … Read more

CPI inflation report February 2024:

Inflation rose again in February, keeping the Federal Reserve on course to wait at least until the summer before starting to lower interest rates. The consumer price index, a broad measure of goods and services costs, increased 0.4% for the month and 3.2% from a year ago, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported … Read more

Ikea cutting prices as inflation eases and more could be on the way

IKEA lowers prices on items worldwide. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Swedish home and furniture company Ikea has been cutting prices across a number of countries as global inflation eased, as it boosts its investments in price reductions. The company is further expanding its price cuts in 2024 across all of its markets globally, … Read more

Global supply chain starts planning for a Trump win, new China tariffs

Global logistics companies tell CNBC they have started the planning for a potential Trump win in November and the strategies that will be needed to mitigate any additional tariffs, with Mexico a key import gateway for any escalation in the trade war against China begun under Trump and continued during the Biden presidency. The planning … Read more

Saudi oil giant Aramco posts 25% fall in full-year profit

Logo of Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Group, Saudi petroleum and natural gas company, seen on the second day of the 24th World Petroleum Congress at the Big 4 Building at Stampede Park, on September 18, 2023, in Calgary, Canada.  Artur Widak | Nurphoto | Getty Images Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco reported … Read more

U.S. job growth totaled 275,000

Job creation topped expectations in February, but the unemployment rate moved higher and employment growth from the previous two months wasn’t nearly as hot as initially reported. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 275,000 for the month while the jobless rate moved higher to 3.9%, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Economists surveyed by … Read more

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

The U.S. labor market showed continuing strength in February through broad job creation of 275,000, with one sector leading the charge. Health care and social assistance saw the largest hiring gains of 90,700 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The sector got a boost from sharp gains in hospital and ambulatory health-care services, … Read more

Ray Dalio at Eras Tour, says Taylor Swift should be president

Combination showing Taylor Swift (L) and Ray Dalio. Getty Images (L) | CNBC (R) Hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio attended Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Singapore, and posted a selfie from the packed venue along with a caption explaining why he thought the megastar should be the next president of the United States. “@TaylorSwift for … Read more

Stock market bubble? Analysts explain why they’re not worried

Traders work on the floor during morning trading at the New York Stock Exchange on March 6, 2024. Spencer Platt | Getty Images Despite the heavy concentration of the U.S. market rally in expensive, AI-focused tech stocks, analysts say Wall Street is not yet in bubble territory. The S&P 500 has climbed for 16 of … Read more

Powell reinforces position that the Fed is not ready to start cutting interest rates

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday reiterated that he expects interest rates to start coming down this year, but is not ready yet to say when. In prepared remarks for congressionally mandated appearances on Capitol Hill Wednesday and Thursday, Powell said policymakers remain attentive to the risks that inflation poses and don’t want to … Read more