The Daily Economy

  • More on That Sluggish Inflation

    There’s more data out this morning showing subdued inflationary pressures. The Commerce Department reported today that the price index for personal consumption expenditures increased at an annual rate of 0.2 percent in January. The Federal Reserve has set a target of 2 percent annual inflation, so this is far below that target.

  • What Health Clubs and Acupuncture Tell Us About the Economy

    Despite an economy that may have entered a soft patch, Americans are still beating a path to their health clubs, acupuncturists and spas.

  • With CPI, Softer Economic Growth Comes Into Focus

    There’s a little more evidence this morning that the economic expansion is in a soft patch, as the Consumer Price Index fell 7/10ths of a point in data released this morning by the Department of Labor. But to really understand what’s going on, you need to look below the headline.

  • AIER President Highlights Women in Tech in HuffPo

    Writing in the Huffington Post, AIER President Stephen Adams applauds Intel’s efforts to increase the number of women and minorities in its workforce.

  • Janet Yellen Tells Senate of Economic Progress, Challenges

    Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen was in front of the Senate Banking Committee this morning, as she continued to show patience about raising interest rates. She noted the recent economic growth, and said there was still plenty of room for improvement.

  • How the Rising Dollar Ripples Across the Economy

    The strengthening U.S. dollar is a double-edged sword for the economy and investors, and in our new report released today, you can see how it affects everything from prices at the store – and the pump — to jobs and inflation.

  • CNBC, Today Show Sites Note AIER Retirement Planning Advice

    AIER Research Fellow Luke Delorme was featured on Friday in a CNBC.com article on retirement planning. Luke had also received favorable press coverage for his January report on rethinking retirement guidelines, including mentions by The Aspen Institute, Forbes and Bloomberg.

  • Coke, Pepsi and the Rising Dollar

    The strong dollar has been taking its toll on U.S. corporate profits, especially those companies who sell their products abroad, as The Associated Press reports today. Coca-Cola and Pepsi both reported falling sales directly linked to the exchange rate, and companies like Avon and Yum brands have also said the dollar has hurt their bottom…

  • Freezing Temperatures, Blizzard Muddle Economic Picture

    The supercold weather has made economists’ job a little harder this winter, as they try to paint a picture of consumer and business behavior beyond that of people simply wanting to stay inside for fear of freezing.

  • David Leonhardt Notes Surprises on Income Inequality

    We read with interest David Leonhardt’s story in this morning’s New York Times about a study out of George Washington University that highlighted the state of income inequality in America, with some surprising conclusions. The study, by GWU economist Stephen J. Rose, concluded that income inequality has not actually risen since the financial crisis started…

  • Not Everyone Defines “Middle Class” Like President Obama

    Politicians talk about the “middle class” often. The President highlighted policies aimed at helping the middle class in his budget proposal. And The New York Times recently wrote about the shrinking middle class. But how do we define the “middle class”? Who is and who isn’t in it?

  • Retail Sales Could Have Been Worse, If Not For Beer

    Consumer spending got off to a sluggish start in the new year, but strong spending at restaurants and drinking establishments has helped temper that trend.