US Fed's Favored Inflation Measure Accelerates, Dimming Rate Cut Hopes
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Fed to meet amid dwindling hopes of summer rate cuts
The Fed's decision to hike interest rates and then hold them at a 23-year high has helped to significantly lower elevated inflation, although it remains stuck firmly above the US central bank's long-term target of two percent.Since the start of this year, the Fed's favored inflation measure has actually accelerated, hitting an annual rate of 2.7 percent in March, while economic growth has slowed, and the labor market has remained robust.The current environment, analysts say, is likely to lead...
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Auto insurance rates are up 22% from a year ago—and are fueling inflation
Relentlessly rising auto insurance rates are squeezing car owners and stoking inflation. Auto insurance rates rose 2.6% in March and are up 22% from a year ago. Premium costs have been marching steadily higher since 2022, even as inflation at the consumer level steadily cooled from its 9.1% peak in the middle of that year. Consumers have had some relief as the rate of cost increases for food and energy, two key components of most budgets, has eased greatly. But auto insurance and car...
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Powell likely to signal that lower inflation is needed before Fed would cut rates
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — After three straight hotter-than-expected inflation reports, Federal Reserve officials have turned more cautious about the prospect of interest rate cuts this year. The big question, after they end their latest policy meeting Wednesday, will be: Will they still signal rate cuts at all this year? Wall