Federal Reserve

A 'help wanted' sign is displayed in a window of a store in Manhattan, New York City, on Dec. 2, 2022. U.S. employers added an unexpectedly strong 517,000 jobs in January, showcasing the labor market is red-hot. The unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in more than half a century.

U.S. employers added 517,000 jobs last month. It's a surprisingly strong number

10:27am February 03, 2023

by Scott Horsley

U.S. employers added 517,000 jobs in January, as the unemployment rate fell to 3.4% . The job market remains tight, despite signs of a slowing economy.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference after the Fed's meeting on Nov. 2, 2022, in Washington, D.C. The Fed raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point on Wednesday, its smallest increase in 11 months.

Economy

The Fed raises interest rates by only a quarter-point after inflation drops

8:00pm February 01, 2023

by Scott Horsley

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter-percentage point as part of its ongoing effort to fight inflation. Price hikes have begun to ease, but the Fed says inflation is not yet tamed.

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Women carry shopping bags as customers visit the American Mall dream mall during Black Friday on Nov. 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The U.S. economy ended 2022 on a strong note, but fears of a recession are growing.

Economy

The U.S. economy ended 2022 on a high note. This year is looking different

9:51am January 26, 2023

by Scott Horsley

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.9% in the final three months of last year — a surprisingly strong finish. But growth is expected to slow in 2023, and possibly even reverse.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the opening bell in New York City on Jan. 18, 2023. Survey after survey shows economists and CEOs expect a recession, but there's no certainty of what an economic contraction would look like – or if the U.S. economy will suffer one at all.

Economy

A recession might be coming. Here's what it could look like

5:01am January 24, 2023

From a mild recession to a so-called hard landing, we sift through the wild array of recession predictions.

A Target customer looks at a display of board games while shopping at Target store in San Francisco, Calif. Inflation continues to ease, even if many people many not feel that way in their daily lives.

Economy

Inflation is easing, even if it may not feel that way

10:06am January 12, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Annual inflation continued to ease, cooling to 6.5% in December, but prices are still climbing at a rapid rate, meaning people have to work longer and harder to keep the same standard of living.

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This illustration picture shows debit and credit cards arranged on a desk on April 6, 2020 in Arlington, Va. Americans are using their credit cards more to pay for everyday expenses at a time when interest rates are rising.

Economy

Americans are piling up credit card debt — and it could prove very costly

10:31am January 11, 2023

by Scott Horsley

More Americans are leaning on their credit cards to cope with rising prices. And as interest rates continue to climb, that debt is getting more and more expensive.

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Lords-a-Leaping and other service providers helped drive the Christmas Price Index higher this year. The Lords' price (supplied by the Philadelphia Ballet) leapt 24%.

Economy

In bad news for true loves, inflation is hitting the 12 Days of Christmas

1:36pm December 20, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Partridge prices were flat this year, but the cost of pear trees jumped more than 25%. PNC bank has run the numbers on all 12 days of Christmas, as it calculates its annual holiday price index.

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Price tags are displayed at a New York City supermarket on Dec. 14. Inflation has eased recently, but more evidence is needed to show that price increases are coming down in the long term, Fed Chair Powell said Wednesday.

Economy

5 takeaways from the front lines of the inflation fight

9:14am December 15, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Inflation may be slowing, but prices are still climbing much faster than Americans are used to. The Federal Reserve's dramatic steps to bring it to heel appear to be working - somewhat.

Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve Jerome Powell speaks at the Brookings Institution, November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Economy

The Fed continues its crackdown on inflation, pushing up interest rates again

6:01pm December 14, 2022

by Scott Horsley

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by half a percentage point Wednesday, which was a smaller increase than the four previous hikes.

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Consumers shop in the produce section of a Walmart store in Burbank, Calif., on August 15, 2022. Produce prices have been rising recently, the latest area hit by inflation.

Economy

Inflation dips in November, as gasoline savings eclipse grocery price increases

12:01pm December 13, 2022

by Scott Horsley

A new government report shows inflation cooled a bit in November. But prices are still climbing and the Federal Reserve is preparing to raise interest rates again.

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