-
Rising prices take center stage as Fed's preferred inflation measure heated up further in April
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge surged to a three-year high in April, adding to growing concern at the central bank and on Wall Street over broadening price pressures. The Personal Consumption Expenditures Index rose 3.8% in April as the conflict in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher. That was in line with expectations and up from 3.5% in March. Excluding volatile food and energy prices on a so-called “core” basis, PCE was up 3.3%, also in line with expectations, and up a tenth from 3.2% in March. Still, that’s the highest core reading in two and a half years. Further price pains could ... (full story)