Import prices post surprise gain as costs of goods from China hit highest since 2008
The cost of goods brought into the U.S. posted an unexpected increase in June as the price of goods from China rose by their largest monthly level in more than 18 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Import prices were up 0.3% for the month, as a drop in energy was more than offset
World Cup gave bars and restaurants a needed boost as consumers flash warning signs, Fed says
While the FIFA World Cup provided a tourism boost to host cities, its positive impact was mitigated by economic weakness seen elsewhere, according to a Federal Reserve report released Wednesday. The soccer tournament, which the U.S. co-hosted, has fetched median admissions prices topping $900, accor
Renewed Hormuz hostilities drive ECB rates rethink amid ‘extremely volatile’ outlook
Several consecutive days of strikes exchanged between the U.S. and Iran have once again thrown oil prices into the spotlight — and cast uncertainty on the European Central Bank's interest rate decision next week. Investors on Wednesday were repricing for the ECB's July 22 monetary policy meeting as
Wholesale prices unexpectedly declined 0.3% in June on big drop in gasoline
Wholesale prices unexpectedly fell in June as sliding energy costs helped brighten the inflation picture, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. The produce price index posted a seasonally adjusted 0.3% decline for the month, compared with the Dow Jones consensus estimate for the final d
China posts slowest quarterly growth since 2022 as investment slumps, fanning stimulus calls
China's economy in the second quarter expanded at its weakest pace since the fourth quarter of 2022, reinforcing calls for policy stimulus as an accelerating slide in investments deepened the strain on growth, while consumption stayed subdued. Gross domestic product growth came in at 4.3% in the Apr
Consumer prices rose 3.5% annually in June, less than expected as energy prices eased
Consumer prices posted their biggest decline in more than six years during June as a sharp swoon in energy prices provided at least temporary relief from this year's inflation surge, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday. The consumer price index, a broad measure of costs for goods and ser
India's inflation accelerates to 4.38% in June, exceeding forecasts
India's consumer price inflation rose to 4.38% in June, up from 3.93% in May as the U.S.-Iran war and a weak monsoon raised food and fuel prices, adding to cost pressures. The headline inflation number was above economists' expectations for a 4.30% rise, according to a Reuters poll. The year-on-yea
'Funflation' hits home: Why staying in isn't the cost-saver it used to be
For decades, video games have been a go-to hobby for Alyx Green. But in recent years, Green has felt priced out. Instead of buying the biggest releases, the Illinois graduate student has opted for cheaper alternatives from smaller studios or turned to board and card games. In some cases, the 31-year
China consumer price growth weakens in June while producer inflation rises to near 4-year high
China's consumer prices grew slower than expected in June, while wholesale inflation accelerated, as elevated energy costs continued to sap domestic demand. Consumer prices rose 1% in June from a year ago, missing economists' estimates of 1.1% growth in a Reuters poll, and slowing from 1.2% in May,
Christine Lagarde leaves door open to early ECB exit, as she mulls French politics
The European Central Bank's Christine Lagarde has declined to rule out an early end to her term as president, as she mulls a foray into French politics. Lagarde, whose term as ECB President ends in October 2027, told French newspaper Les Echos an early departure is "possible" ahead of the country's
Job seekers giving up: Labor force participation rate falls to lowest in 50 years, outside of Covid era
On the surface, a June drop in the unemployment rate helped provide some upside to what was an otherwise downbeat jobs report — but it was for all the wrong reasons. That's because the decline in the jobless level to 4.2%, the lowest in a year, came largely from an exodus of workers from the labor f
U.S. economy added 57,000 jobs in June, less than expected; unemployment rate at 4.2%
The U.S. economy saw job creation cool sharply heading into the summer, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. Nonfarm payrolls for June increased by a seasonally adjusted 57,000 for the month, slower than the downwardly revised 129,000 added in May and worse than the 115,000 Dow Jones co
Europe wants to rebalance trade with Beijing, but can't quit Chinese air conditioners
Europe wants to narrow its record trade deficit with China by October, but the bloc's worst-ever heat wave is driving unprecedented demand for imports of Chinese-made air conditioners, a telling tale illustrating how hard it will be for Brussels to address the trade imbalance. The European Union and
World Cup could boost the June jobs report by 40,000, Goldman estimates
The June jobs report on Thursday could be more robust than expected due to a strong kick from the World Cup, according to Goldman Sachs. Nonfarm payrolls are projected to post a gain of 115,000, according to the Dow Jones consensus from economists surveyed, which would be a step down from the sturdy
Private payrolls rose by 98,000 in June, less than expected, ADP reports
Companies added slightly fewer workers than expected in June, with hiring targeted heavily toward healthcare-related sectors, ADP reported Wednesday. Private sector employment grew by a seasonally adjusted 98,000 for the month, down from an unrevised 122,000 in May and a bit below the Dow Jones cons
