wages

Eggs Lay One On CPI and Wages

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.3% for June, as gasoline increased by 3.4%.  Eggs are the new gold as prices had a one month spike not seen since 1973.  Energy overall was up 1.7%.  Inflation without food or energy prices considered increased 0.2% for the month on soaring shelter costs.  From a year ago overall inflation has increased 0.1%.

March CPI Shows Inflation Rising

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.2% for March, the same rate as February, as overall energy costs continued to rise.  Gasoline prices alone increased 3.9%.  Inflation without food or energy prices considered increased 0.2% for the month.  From a year ago overall inflation declined -0.1% and this is due to the previous plunge in gasoline prices.

Consumer Spending a February Debbie Downer for Economic Growth

The February personal income and outlays report shows a -0.1% change in real consumer spending, which is not good news for economic growth.   Not adjusted for inflation consumer spending rose a scant 0.1%.  Real personal income isn't any better with no change for the month.

Gas Price Drop Deflates Consumer Price Index

The Consumer Price Index dropped -07% for January, the largest monthly drop since December 2008 and the steepest monthly decline in a series of seven.  Gasoline prices plummeted -18.7%, the steepest since December 2008.  The drop in gas overwhelmed the Consumer Price Index and was the cause of the overall drop.

Low Inflation On Much More than Gas as CPI Declines -0.4%

The monthly Consumer Price Index dropped -04% for December, the largest monthly drop since 2008  Once again it's all about falling oil prices.  Gasoline prices declined the steepest since December 2008.  Inflation with gas and food removed flat-lined and had no change from last month.   CPI measures inflation, or price increases.

 

Plunging Gas Prices Pull Down November CPI

The monthly Consumer Price Index dropped -0.3% for November.  That's some serious deflation but not to worry, it's all about falling oil prices.  Gasoline prices declined the steepest since December 2008.  Inflation with gas and food removed increased a very tame 0.1%.   CPI measures inflation, or price increases.

 

Labor Productivity Increases 2.0% for Q3

The BLS Productivity & Costs report for Q3 2014 shows labor productivity increased 2.0% annualized.  Output increased 4.4% and hours worked increased 2.3%.  Unit Labor costs increased only 0.3% in Q3 2014.  The reason labor productivity rose was because economic output grew more than worker hours.  Overall labor is still getting squeezed for more efficiency and wages are still repressed.

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