inflation

Economy

Has inflation changed how you shop and spend? We want to hear from you

5:00am June 15, 2023

NPR wants to know whether rising prices have led you to shop differently for groceries, travel or entertainment; use "buy now pay later" services; or dip into savings to cover your debts.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues opted to pause interest rate hikes at their meeting Wednesday.

Economy

Taking a breather: Fed holds interest rates steady in patient battle against inflation

7:29pm June 14, 2023

by Scott Horsley

After 10 straight rate hikes, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, but hinted that additional rate hikes are possible if inflation remains stubbornly high.

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Inflation fell in May to 4%, down from 4.9 percent in April. Some prices, though, continue to rise (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Cheaper eggs and gas lead inflation lower in May, but higher prices pop up elsewhere

12:15pm June 13, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Inflation cooled slightly in May, thanks in part to falling gas and egg prices. But the overall cost of living is still climbing faster than the Federal Reserve would like.

Eggs are on display at a Sprouts grocery store on April 12 in San Rafael, Calif.

Sky-high egg prices are finally coming back down to earth

10:34am June 06, 2023

by Joe Hernandez

The industry is recovering from a massive bird flu outbreak and high inflation rates, but prices may not fall to what they once were.

Construction workers prepare steel for a crane at the site of JPMorgan Chase's new headquarters in New York City on May 18, 2023. Builders added jobs this month despite the headwinds from higher interest rates. It was another indication of the country's strong job market.

Economy

Amazingly, the U.S. job market continues to roar. Here are the 5 things to know

6:01am June 03, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Employers added a whopping 339,000 jobs last month, a stunningly strong number. Here are some of the key takeaways of the country's red hot labor market.

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Economy

April home sales dip in Greensboro

3:28pm May 31, 2023

by David Ford

Home sales have dipped across the country, region and Triad due to a variety of factors including interest rates, construction costs, and changing demographics.

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While food prices have risen in many parts of the world, a dramatic jump in one of Italy's staple foods has prompted the government to take action.

Soaring pasta prices caused a crisis in Italy. What can the U.S. learn from it?

10:01am May 18, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Italian officials convened crisis talks last week to address the price of pasta, which was up a whopping 17.5% year-over-year in March. But it's far from the only country seeing a rise in food prices.

A picture prior to the central bank session of the Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Niigata, Japan, on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

World News

G7 finance leaders pledge to contain inflation and to continue support for Ukraine

1:34am May 13, 2023

by The Associated Press

Finance ministers and central bank chiefs ended talks in Japan with a joint statement pledging to bring inflation under control while aiding those suffering the most from surging prices.

A customer shops for meat at a Safeway store in San Rafael, Calif., on April 12, 2023. Consumer prices eased slightly in April from the previous month but are still too high for the Fed's comfort.

Economy

Inflation stayed high last month, compounding the challenges facing the U.S. economy

12:45pm May 10, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Consumer prices in April were 4.9% higher than a year ago, according to the Labor Department. Prices rose 0.4% between March and April.

A customer walks by a "now hiring" sign posted in front of a store in Novato, Calif., on April 7, 2023.

Economy

In a surprise, the job market grew strongly in April despite high interest rates

10:54am May 05, 2023

by Scott Horsley

The U.S. job market may be getting a second wind. Employers added 253,000 jobs in April, a modest uptick from the month before. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.4%.