Personal Consumption Expenditures

**Social Position and Nutritional Status in Burkina Faso** A recent study examined the relationship between social position and nutritional status among adults in Burkina Faso, using data from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey. Researchers utilized a composite measure of social position, including factors like education, occupation, and household wealth, to evaluate how social inequality…

**Understanding the PCE and Its Significance** The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, tracks changes in the prices of goods and services consumed by households. This measure is considered a key inflation indicator, reflecting the spending behaviors of consumers and capturing shifts in the cost of living. Economists and…

**Devaluation vs Inflation** Devaluation and inflation are two key economic concepts that can impact the value of a country’s currency and the purchasing power of its residents. Devaluation refers to a deliberate downward adjustment of a country’s currency value relative to other currencies, often executed by the nation’s government or central bank. This is typically…

**Atlanta Fed GDPNow Q3 Estimate Slips to 3.8%** The Atlanta Federal Reserve’s GDPNow model released a new forecast, estimating that U.S. economic growth for the third quarter is now at 3.8%, a slight decrease from its previous projection of 3.9%. This update followed the latest data on wholesale and retail trade, showing ongoing adjustments in…

**South Korea’s Inflation Slows in May** South Korea saw its inflation rate slow in May, for the first time in three months. According to data from Statistics Korea, consumer prices rose 2.7 percent on-year in May, compared with a 2.9 percent increase in April. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, also rose…

**Puerto Rico’s GDP Rebounds in 2023** Puerto Rico’s economy saw a resurgence in 2023, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growing by 3%, according to recent government data. This marks a reversal from the previous year’s 2% decline and reflects improvements in several key sectors, including manufacturing and services. The positive performance was attributed in part…

**US Consumer Prices Rise More Than Expected in August** U.S. consumer prices saw a larger-than-anticipated increase in August, according to the latest data from the Labor Department. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6% last month, the biggest monthly gain in over a year, largely driven by higher gasoline costs. On an annual basis, prices…

**Stephen Miran’s Fed Confirmation Hearing Overview** Stephen Miran, President Biden’s nominee for the Federal Reserve Board, faced questioning during his Senate confirmation hearing today. Lawmakers probed Miran’s views on inflation, monetary policy, and the Fed’s approach to price stability, raising concerns about central bank independence as the U.S. economy continues grappling with higher-than-expected inflation. Miran…

**Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Corporate Profits – Q2 2025 Update** The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released its second estimate for gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second quarter of 2025, revealing that real GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.3 percent. This growth primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, nonresidential fixed…

**Fed Chair Discusses September Interest Rate Outlook** Jerome Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, recently addressed speculation surrounding the central bank’s approach to interest rates for September. He emphasized that while inflation is moving closer to the Fed’s 2% target, it still remains somewhat elevated, and any decisions about rate cuts would depend on…