**US Inflation Gauges Show Contrasting Trends** The US is currently facing a puzzling divergence between its two main inflation gauges: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index. While the CPI, which places a heavier emphasis on housing and out-of-pocket expenses, suggests inflation is rising more strongly, the PCE—which the…
**Steep Decline in Purchasing Power Hits California, New York, and Illinois** A recent study has found that since 2020, residents in California, New York, and Illinois have experienced the largest declines in purchasing power in the United States. The analysis, which used data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, attributed the trend to rising inflation…
**Trump’s State of the Union Claims: A Fact-Check** During a recent appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Steven Rattner analyzed several economic claims made by former President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address. Rattner pointed out significant factual inaccuracies in Trump’s statements, particularly those concerning the strength and trajectory of the U.S. economy….
**Gold Treads Water Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty and US Economic Data** Gold prices remained relatively steady as investors weighed ongoing tensions between the US and Iran against upcoming US economic data releases, specifically the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index. The lack of significant movement in gold suggests the market is in a holding pattern, waiting for…
**Changes in India’s Consumer Price Index 2024** India’s government has updated the Consumer Price Index (CPI), changing the weightage assigned to various categories in order to more accurately represent current consumption patterns. Under the new system, the proportion assigned to food in the CPI has been reduced, while housing, health, and telecom have seen an…
**Inflation Concerns and Economic Disparities** Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook recently emphasized that inflation in the U.S. remains persistently high, posing ongoing challenges for policymakers. Cook highlighted that, although some economic indicators have improved, prices are still rising faster than the central bank’s target rate. She expressed concerns about the “K-shaped” nature of the current…
**Fed Rate and Growth Outlook** RSM economists have revised their outlook on Federal Reserve policy, now forecasting just one rate cut in 2024, likely in December, instead of the previously anticipated three. This adjustment is driven by persistent inflation and a robust labor market, which have both caused Fed officials to signal a more cautious…
**SPY ETF Daily Update: January 22, 2026** On January 22, 2026, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), which is one of the most widely traded exchange-traded funds tracking the U.S. stock market, showed subtle movement as investors digested recent economic reports and the ongoing direction of Federal Reserve policy. The SPY’s performance reflected careful…
**Federal Reserve Faces Data Uncertainty Amidst Government Shutdown** The Federal Reserve is contending with a significant lack of economic data as a possible government shutdown looms, making it more difficult for policymakers to decide on future interest rate moves. Officials have stated that key information they typically rely on—such as employment figures and inflation numbers—is…
**McDonald’s Q3 Sales Beat Expectations Despite Lower Traffic from Low-Income Consumers** McDonald’s reported stronger-than-expected sales for the third quarter, even as it saw a decline in visits from low-income customers. The fast-food giant credited its successful results to price increases and continued demand for classic menu items. International markets also helped boost McDonald’s performance, balancing…