Latest Inflation News

Sluggish start for spring homebuying season as home sales fall in March with mortgage rates rising

Apr. 18, 2024 10:55 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The spring homebuying season is off to a sluggish start as home shoppers contend with elevated mortgage rates and rising prices. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell 4.3% in March from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.19...

IMF's Georgieva says there's 'plenty to worry about' despite recovery for many economies

Apr. 18, 2024 09:57 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday that the world economy has proven surprisingly resilient in the face of higher interest rates and the shock of war in Ukraine and Gaza, but "there is plenty to worry about,'' including stubborn inflation and rising levels...

As earnings season rolls into its heart, hopes rise for broader gains

Apr. 18, 2024 08:11 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — As the heart of earnings reporting season arrives on Wall Street, investors hope that many more voices will be joining the chorus of companies reporting stronger profits. Last year, Big Tech stocks were behind much of corporate America’s profit growth, and thus...

Stock market today: Asian shares gain despite Wall Street's tech-led retreat

Apr. 18, 2024 00:12 AM EDT

Asian shares advanced on Thursday even after sinking technology stocks sent Wall Street lower in the S&P 500's worse losing streak since the start of the year. U.S. futures were lower, while oil prices gained. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 climbed 0.3% to 38,090.87 and the...

North Carolina sees slight surplus this year, $1B more next year

Apr. 17, 2024 20:04 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's government should collect higher revenues during this fiscal year and next than what is projected in the current two-year state budget, according to a new forecast released Wednesday. Economists for the General Assembly and Gov. Roy Cooper's...

UK inflation falls to lowest level since late 2021 as food prices ease further

Apr. 17, 2024 03:17 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — Inflation in the U.K. fell to its lowest level in two and a half years in March after a further easing in food prices, official figures showed Wednesday, a development which could further pave the way for a welcome cut in interest rates soon. Consumer prices rose by...

Stock market today: Asian benchmarks trade mixed amid expectations for US rates to stay high

Apr. 16, 2024 22:21 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were trading mixed Wednesday, as expectations resurfaced that U.S. interest rates may stay high for a while. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 dipped 0.6% in morning trading to 38,226.39. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.2% to 7,624.70. South Korea's...

Fed's Powell: Elevated inflation will likely delay rate cuts this year

Apr. 16, 2024 15:39 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned Tuesday that persistently elevated inflation will likely delay any Fed interest rate cuts until later this year, opening the door to a period of higher-for-longer rates. “Recent data have clearly not given us...

IMF: Outlook for world economy is brighter, though still modest by historical standards

Apr. 16, 2024 12:21 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its outlook for the global economy this year, saying the world appears headed for a “soft landing” — reining in inflation without much economic pain and producing steady if modest growth. The IMF now envisions...

A top Federal Reserve official opens door to keeping rates high for longer

Apr. 16, 2024 10:43 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson suggested Tuesday that the central bank's key rate may have to remain at its peak for a while to bring down persistently elevated inflation. In a speech, Jefferson said he expects inflation to continue to slow this...