Reporter — The Associated Press

Christopher S. Rugaber

The great inflation spike of the past three years is nearly spent — and economists credit American consumers for helping slay it.

Economy |
Americans’ refusal to keep paying higher prices may be dealing a final blow to U.S. inflation spike

August 12, 2024 at 9:44 a.m.

The great inflation spike of the past three years is nearly spent — and economists credit American consumers for helping slay it.

Inflation in metro Denver dropped below 2% in July for the first time in more than three years. A slowing pace of price gains could give the Federal Reserve room to cut interest rates next month. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Economy |
First interest rate cut in 4 years likely on the horizon as the Federal Reserve meets

July 31, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

With the end of their two-year fight against inflation in sight, Federal Reserve officials are likely Wednesday to set the stage for the first cut to their key interest rate...

U.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by a federal agency Tuesday, though the rule is sure to be challenged in court. The Federal Trade Commission voted Tuesday 3-2 to ban measures known as […]

Business |
New federal rule would bar “noncompete” agreements for most employees

April 24, 2024 at 2:37 p.m.

U.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by a federal agency Tuesday, though the rule is sure to...

A measure of consumer sentiment ticked higher this month, after soaring in December and January, underscoring that Americans are starting to feel better about the economy after several years of gloom.

Economy |
Consumer sentiment edges higher as economic growth accelerates and inflation fades

February 16, 2024 at 9:33 a.m.

A measure of consumer sentiment ticked higher this month, after soaring in December and January, underscoring that Americans are starting to feel better about the economy after several years of...

Over the past year, inflation in the United States has tumbled from 9% all the way to 3%, softening most of the price pressures that have gripped the nation for more than two years. Now comes the hard part. Squeezing out the last bit of excess inflation and reducing it to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target rate is expected to be a much harder and slower grind. The stickiness of inflation could endanger the possibility that the Fed will achieve a rare “soft landing” -- a scenario in which it manages to slow inflation down to its target level through higher interest rates without derailing the economy.

Economy |
US inflation has steadily cooled. Getting it down to the Fed’s target rate will be the toughest mile

August 8, 2023 at 8:37 a.m.

Over the past year, inflation in the United States has tumbled from 9% all the way to 3%, softening most of the price pressures that have gripped the nation for...

Even after inflation has steadily eased this year, the Federal Reserve’s policymakers still think prices are rising too fast and are almost certain to lift their key interest rate by a quarter-point on Wednesday.

Economy |
A Fed still wary of inflation is set to raise rates to a 22-year peak. Will it be the last hike?

July 26, 2023 at 7:31 a.m.

Even after inflation has steadily eased this year, the Federal Reserve’s policymakers still think prices are rising too fast and are almost certain to lift their key interest rate by...

The warnings have been sounded for more than a year: A recession is going to hit the United States. If not this quarter, then by next quarter. Or the quarter after that. Or next year. Yet what might be the most-anticipated recession in modern U.S. history still hasn’t arrived.

Economy |
Is it a “richcession”? Or a “rolling recession”? Or maybe no recession at all?

June 28, 2023 at 7:36 a.m.

The warnings have been sounded for more than a year: A recession is going to hit the United States. If not this quarter, then by next quarter. Or the quarter...

When the Federal Reserve meets next week, Chair Jerome Powell will need to forge a consensus. One group of officials would like to pause their rate increases after 10 straight hikes to allow time to assess whether higher borrowing rates are slowing inflation. But a second group worries that inflation is still too high and thinks the Fed should continue hiking at least once or twice more -- beginning next week. So how will Powell achieve an accord between the two? By turning what previously was considered a “pause” into a “skip.” A “pause” might suggest that the Fed won’t necessarily raise its benchmark rate again. A “skip” implies that it probably will — just not now.

Economy |
Is it a “skip” or a “pause”? Federal Reserve won’t likely raise rates next week but maybe next month.

June 7, 2023 at 9:22 a.m.

When the Federal Reserve meets next week, Chair Jerome Powell will need to forge a consensus. One group of officials would like to pause their rate increases after 10 straight...

Inflation in the United States slowed again last month in the latest sign that price increases are gradually cooling despite the pressures they continue to inflict on American households.

Economy |
U.S. inflation slowed sharply to 7.1% over past 12 months

December 13, 2022 at 7:38 a.m.

Inflation in the United States slowed again last month in the latest sign that price increases are gradually cooling despite the pressures they continue to inflict on American households.

The Federal Reserve delivered its bluntest reckoning Wednesday of what it will take to finally tame painfully high inflation: Slower growth, higher unemployment and potentially a recession.

Economy |
Powell’s stark message: Inflation fight may cause recession

September 22, 2022 at 9:45 a.m.

The Federal Reserve delivered its bluntest reckoning Wednesday of what it will take to finally tame painfully high inflation: Slower growth, higher unemployment and potentially a recession.

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