U.S. inflation in July hits lowest rate in 3-plus years

U.S. inflation in July hits lowest rate in 3-plus years

Year-over-year inflation in the United States reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the Federal Reserve for an interest rate cut in September. Wednesday’s report from the U.S. Department of Labor showed that consumer prices rose just … Read more

Bank of Canada summary suggests weak job market was a concern ahead of July rate cut

Bank of Canada summary suggests weak job market was a concern ahead of July rate cut

The Bank of Canada wants the economy to pick up speed again and some members of its governing council are concerned that weak job market conditions could hinder that process. That’s according to the central bank’s newly released summary of deliberations detailing discussions ahead of the July 24 rate decision. “With the emergence of slack … Read more

Wall Street has its worst day since 2022 as fears of U.S. recession deepen

Wall Street has its worst day since 2022 as fears of U.S. recession deepen

Wall Street fell the most in nearly two years, continuing a global rout in financial markets as fears worsen that the U.S. economy is slowing down. The S&P 500 fell three per cent on Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped more than 1,000 points and the Nasdaq composite slid 3.4 per cent. The declines were just the latest … Read more

Global stock markets end week in a slump over fears of U.S. recession

Global stock markets end week in a slump over fears of U.S. recession

Stocks tumbled Friday on worries the U.S. economy could be cracking under the weight of high interest rates meant to whip inflation. The S&P 500 fell 1.8 per cent on Friday for its first back-to-back loss of at least one per cent since April. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 1.5 per cent, and the Nasdaq composite … Read more

Inflation in U.S. drops as consumer prices unexpectedly fell in June

Inflation in U.S. drops as consumer prices unexpectedly fell in June

U.S. consumer prices unexpectedly fell and the annual increase was the smallest in a year, reinforcing views that a trend of dropping inflation was back on track in the United States, and drawing the Federal Reserve another step closer to cutting interest rates. The consumer price index dipped 0.1 per cent last month after being unchanged in May, the U.S. Labour Department’s … Read more

U.S. Fed holds interest rates steady, sees just 1 cut in 2024 despite inflation progress

U.S. Fed holds interest rates steady, sees just 1 cut in 2024 despite inflation progress

U.S. Federal Reserve officials said Wednesday that inflation has fallen further toward their target in recent months, but signalled that they expect to cut their benchmark interest rate just once this year. The policymakers’ forecast for one rate cut was down from a previous forecast of three, likely because inflation remains persistently elevated. In a … Read more

‘We are getting closer’ to cutting interest rates, Bank of Canada governor tells MPs

‘We are getting closer’ to cutting interest rates, Bank of Canada governor tells MPs

The Bank of Canada is getting closer to cutting interest rates as inflation shows signs of coming down and staying down, the central bank’s governor, Tiff Macklem, told MPs Thursday. “We do see renewed downward momentum in underlying inflation. The message to Canadians is, we are getting closer. We are seeing what we need to … Read more

U.S. Federal Reserve holds interest rate, saying it will take ‘longer than expected’ to start cutting

U.S. Federal Reserve holds interest rate, saying it will take ‘longer than expected’ to start cutting

The U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday and signaled it is still leaning toward eventual reductions in borrowing costs, but that cuts could be delayed as recent inflation numbers have strayed further from its two per cent target. Indeed, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said it was likely to take longer than previously expected for Fed officials … Read more

Fed leaves rates alone; still foresees 3 rate cuts this year – Boston Herald

Fed leaves rates alone; still foresees 3 rate cuts this year – Boston Herald

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve officials signaled Wednesday that they still expect to cut their key interest rate three times in 2024 despite signs that inflation stayed surprisingly high at the start of the year. Yet they foresee fewer rate cuts in 2025, and they slightly raised their inflation forecasts. After ending their latest meeting, the … Read more