Stocks Continue Rally on Upbeat Economic News
Stocks kept their upward momentum going Tuesday, buoyed by two positive economic reports: the number of housing starts picked up and consumer inflation came in low.
consumer prices
Prices for Consumer Goods Barely Rise in May
U.S. consumer prices rose slightly in May as higher energy costs were partly offset by cheaper food. The small increase underscores that inflation is mild.
U.S. Consumer Prices Flat in January for 2nd Month
U.S. consumer prices were flat last month, the latest sign inflation is in check. That could give the Federal Reserve leeway to continue its efforts to stimulate growth. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.3 percent in January, pushed up by higher costs for apparel, air fares and rents.
U.S. Consumer Price Index Unchanged in December
Lower gas costs offset more expensive food and higher rents to keep a measure of U.S. consumer prices flat last month. The Labor Department said Wednesday that food prices increased 0.2 percent in December from November. Rents and airline fares also rose. Gasoline prices fell a seasonally adjusted 2.3 percent.
Life's Necessities Could Cost You $3,794 More in 2013
Surveying the raft of end-of-year surveys floating around right now, it quickly becomes apparent that not only are our taxes set to rise in 2013, but the cost of a whole lot of other stuff is going up, too. The question is: How much more expensive will life get in the new year? Here are the grim statistics.
Cheaper Gas Lowers U.S. Consumer Prices 0.3%
The seasonally adjusted consumer price index dropped 0.3 percent in November from October, the Labor Department said Friday. Gas prices fell 7.4 percent, the steepest drop in nearly four years. That offset a 0.2 percent rise in food prices.
Stocks Shoot Higher on 3rd Quarter Profits; Mattel Jumps
Inflation is low, earnings are high, investors are happy. Stocks shot higher Tuesday, giving the market its biggest gain in a month. Results at Mattel, Goldman Sachs, and Johnson & Johnson were all above expectations.
More Expensive Gas Pushes U.S. Consumer Prices Up
Higher gas costs drove up U.S. consumer prices in September for the second straight month. Outside energy, there was little sign of inflation. The Labor Department said Tuesday that the consumer price index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.6 percent last month.
Consumer Prices Hold Steady for Third Time in Four Months
U.S. consumer prices were unchanged in July from June, as a small drop in energy costs offset slightly higher food prices. The consumer price index hasn't changed since March, evidence that the weak economy is keeping inflation in check.
US Inflation Mild as Gas Prices Rise More Slowly
Gas prices rose more slowly in March, keeping overall U.S. inflation mild. The consumer price index rose 0.3 percent in March, the Labor Department said Friday. That's slower than February's 0.4 percent rise.
Why Inflation Is Higher Than It Looks
The Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, is only as effective as the assumptions it makes -- in this case, about what you buy. If you spend more on certain things than most people, then the CPI will do a terrible job of reflecting the prices you actually pay. In particular, retirees often don't fit the CPI profile well at all.
Consumer Prices Up as Gas, Clothing Costs Rise
Consumer prices rose modestly in January on higher costs for food, gas, rent and clothing. But economists downplayed the increase, saying inflation will likely ease in the coming months as prices for raw materials level off. The consumer price index increased 0.2 percent last month, after a flat reading in December, the Labor Department said Friday.
Colgate Ups Prices at Home; First Attempt in Years
Colgate-Palmolive, stung by higher costs, saw fourth-quarter net income decline more than 5 percent but said Thursday that it had raised prices in North America for the first time in two and a half years.
Consumer Prices Flat for 2nd Straight Month
Consumer prices were unchanged last month, the latest sign that inflation remains tame. Lower gas prices offset rising costs for food, medical care and housing. The consumer price index was flat in December for the second straight month, the Labor Department said Thursday. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called "core" prices rose 0.1 percent.
Consumer Prices Dip 0.1%, as Gas Prices Drop
Consumers paid less for gas, cars and computers last month, as overall prices dropped for the first time since June. Inflation is easing after prices rose sharply this spring. The Labor Department said Wednesday that the Consumer Price Index dropped 0.1 percent in October. A steep drop in gas prices led the decline. Food prices rose, but at the slowest pace this year.
Chick-fil-A's CEO on Rising Costs, Family Values
For its Cow Appreciation Day Friday, Chick-fil-A gave away free sandwiches to customers who come in wearing cow costumes. We talked with CEO Dan Cathy about a herd of other issues including rising food costs, industry trends, the economy and how his values affect the company's bottom line.
The Real Problem With Inflation Isn't on Wall Street
As earlier bouts of alarmism over Europe, then a double-dip recession and then deflation fade away, a new bogeyman is taking their place: Inflation, and the damage it could do to profits and stocks. Yes, prices are rising, but the main pain will be felt most among America's poorest.
A Little Inflation Isn't Slowing Down General Mills
Dire warnings about higher prices notwithstanding, not everyone in the consumer-staple sector expects to be a sorry victim of inflation. Count General Mills among those who aren't afraid of the inflation bogey. It has been raising prices, and analysts are applauding.
Annual Core Inflation Falls to Record Low
The nation's struggle to prevent deflation is apparently only just beginning. The 12-month core rate (excluding food and energy prices) fell to a record low 0.6% from 0.8% in September. Clearly, the Fed has more work to do.
September's 0.1% CPI Has the Fed on Deflation Alert
The current flatness in prices isn't what the Federal Reserve wants. It would much rather see a little more inflation in the economy. Says Great Depression scholar Ben Bernanke: "Further disinflation would be unwelcome." The Fed has work to do on that score.
What's Missing From Google's Proposed Inflation Index
The search giant may use its vast database of Web-shopping data to construct a daily measure of inflation called the Google Price Index, or GPI. It can be calculated more quickly than the official CPI, but it covers only what can be sold on the Web.
Consumer Prices Dip in April
Consumer prices dip in April while core inflation posts smallest 12-month gain in 44 years.
The Fed Remains on the Lookout for Deflation
Most investors know that large budget deficits can lead to an increase in inflation. However, given the current price trend, to remove fiscal, or monetary, stimulus now would be precisely the wrong policy to follow: deflation, not inflation, remains the bigger threat to the economy.
