Consumer Prices Dive 1%, Biggest Drop in 61 Years

Lack of increase means Fed has an open door to a big rate cute next week

(NEWSER) - Consumer prices were flat for February, pleasantly surprising economists who expected a 0.2% increase, reports the Wall Street Journal. This morning’s consumer price index eases concerns that inflation is accelerating as the economy slows, and it gives the Federal Reserve more reason to float a large interest rate cut next week. A drop in energy prices was credited with the inflation relief, likely to be short-lived as this month's record oil and gas prices are factored into the next reports. More»

Average national price climbs, even though driving is down

(NEWSER) - Remember the good old days when gas was over $3? Well, get ready for some déjà vu. The average national price of a gallon climbed 4.7 cents last week alone, to $2.702, continuing a trend that saw it rise 76.8 cents over the past year, while crude oil prices nearly doubled. Now, thanks to the recent storms, it’s safe to assume they’ll be above $3 headed into the spring, argues Matthew Scott of Daily Finance . More»

High energy, motor vehicle costs pushing inflation; Fed may be forced to boost rates

(AP) - Wholesale prices jumped 1.2% in July—more than twice the rate economists expected and the fastest pace in 27 years, according to government data released today, the AP reports. Core prices, which exclude food and energy, rose 0.7%, the biggest since November 2006; new home construction in July fell to the lowest pace in more than 17 years. More»

(AP) - US consumer prices shot up 0.8% in July, twice the expected rate, pushed higher by surging energy and food costs, the AP reports. The spike left inflation running at 5.6%, the fastest pace in 17 years, the Labor Department reported today. It marked the third straight month of soaring prices, following jumps of 0.6% in May and 1.1% in June. More»

Consumer prices up 1.1%; wholesale up 1.8%.

(NEWSER) - Consumer prices rose a staggering 1.1% in June, Bloomberg reports. The figure far surpassed analyst estimates, and brings the year-over-year figure to 5%–the biggest surge since 1991. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose a more-than-expected 0.3%. “Inflation has galloped,” one economist said. “It puts the Fed in a really tricky position. I don't see how they can change rates this year.” More»