Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Economy

Federal Reserve leaves key interest rate unchanged amid uncertainty over economy, inflation
Approved, Fox Business, National

Federal Reserve leaves key interest rate unchanged amid uncertainty over economy, inflation

By Eric Revell  | Fox Business The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced that it will leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged as policymakers continue to assess uncertainty around inflation and economic conditions in light of federal policy shifts. The central bank's decision leaves the benchmark federal funds rate at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%.  The move comes after the Fed left rates at that level at its previous meeting in January, which came on the heels of three consecutive rate cuts at its preceding meetings — which involved a 50-basis-point cut in September and a pair of 25-basis-point reductions in November and December. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX BUSINESS
Secretary Bessent on ‘reprivatization’ of economy: ‘We are laser-focused on getting this deficit under control’
Approved, Breitbart, National

Secretary Bessent on ‘reprivatization’ of economy: ‘We are laser-focused on getting this deficit under control’

By Matthew Boyle | Breitbart Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Breitbart News exclusively that President Donald Trump’s administration is “laser-focused” on cutting the deficit and getting spending “under control,” part of his larger vision of “reprivatization” of the U.S. economy so economic growth is no longer dependent on government spending but instead on private sector growth. Bessent said he joined Trump on the campaign trail last year and later joined his cabinet because he was “so alarmed” by the “high level of government spending” that had taken hold in recent years. Bessent delivered a major address to the Economic Club of New York last week in which he called for a “reprivatization” of the U.S. economy, arguing that under former President Joe Biden’s administration, th...
Producer inflation stopped cold in Trump’s first month, core prices fell
Approved, Breitbart, National

Producer inflation stopped cold in Trump’s first month, core prices fell

By John Carney | Breitbart Promises made, promises kept. “When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One,” Donald Trump said on the campaign trail last summer. Critics claimed, without evidence, that Trump’s tariff plans would raise inflation. Many economists argued that while the rate of price increases might slow, prices would not decline and Americans would simply have to adjust to the new higher price level. In February, however, the core producer price index for final demand declined by 0.1 percent. In other words, prices of goods and services— excluding food and energy—sold by U.S. businesses came down. The broader index for producer prices was flat for the month, indicating that there was no inflation at all in the month. READ THE FULL STORY ...
Inflation slowed slightly to 2.8% in February ahead of Federal Reserve meeting
Approved, Fox Business, National

Inflation slowed slightly to 2.8% in February ahead of Federal Reserve meeting

By Eric Revell  | Fox Business Inflation cooled slightly in February even as the pace of price growth remained well above the Federal Reserve's goal ahead of the central bank's policy meeting next week. The Labor Department on Wednesday said that the consumer price index (CPI) – a broad measure of how much everyday goods like gasoline, groceries and rent cost – increased 0.2% in February compared with last month, while it rose 2.8% on an annual basis. Both the annual and monthly increases in headline inflation were cooler than the expectations of LSEG economists. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX BUSINESS
Egg prices plunge nearly $2, now lower than when Trump took office
National, Washington Examiner

Egg prices plunge nearly $2, now lower than when Trump took office

By Gabrielle M. Etzel | Washington Examiner Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters Tuesday morning that egg prices have dropped by nearly $2 since the Trump administration initiated its biosafety strategy for combating H5N1 bird flu, which has decimated the poultry industry in recent months.  Late last month, Rollins announced that the Department of Agriculture would spend $1 billion to lower egg prices and curb the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Trump says US will experience ‘period of transition’ when asked if economy could see a recession this year
Approved, Fox Business, National

Trump says US will experience ‘period of transition’ when asked if economy could see a recession this year

By Taylor Penley | Fox Business President Donald Trump declined to explicitly rule out a full-blown recession for the U.S. economy this year, telling Maria Bartiromo in a recent "Sunday Morning Futures" exclusive that the country will see a "period of transition" as his policies take effect. "I hate to predict things like that," he said of a recession. "There is a period of transition because what we're doing is very big. We're bringing wealth back to America. That's a big thing… it takes a little time, but I think it should be great for us." The president's comments come amid some business leaders' instability concerns over tariffs imposed on China, Canada and Mexico, as well as growing concerns of a potential economic slowdown.  READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX BUSINESS
In Covid-19 hangover, Colorado employers debate whether to require in-person work
Approved, DENVER7, Local, Top Stories

In Covid-19 hangover, Colorado employers debate whether to require in-person work

By Nicole Brady | Denver 7 News Five years since so many of us set up home offices during the COVID-19 pandemic, more employers are reevaluating remote and hybrid work arrangements. In February, Aurora City Council passed a resolution directing council-appointed city leaders to encourage full-time employees to work in person at least three days a week. A city council resolution states that in-person work “fosters collaboration, reduces isolation, and creates healthier boundaries between work and personal life.” The City of Denver and State of Colorado continue to allow hybrid work arrangements, despite downtown businesses owners saying economic activity has suffered. Governor Jared Polis’ office sent a statement to Denver7 saying its flexible work arrangement “helps the state recruit...
Albertsons’ new CEO is Susan Morris, who began her grocer career in Colorado
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Albertsons’ new CEO is Susan Morris, who began her grocer career in Colorado

By Bernadette Berdychowski | The Denver Gazette Albertsons, the parent company of Safeway, will soon have a new CEO who's grocery career began in Denver.  The company's Chief Operating Officer Susan Morris will succeed Albertsons' current CEO Vivek Sankaran, the grocer announced Monday.  Sankaran plans to retire and Morris will take over May 1, Albertsons said in a news release. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Do pennies still make sense? Experts give their two cents
Approved, gazette.com, Local

Do pennies still make sense? Experts give their two cents

By Debbie Kelley | The Gazette An America without any cents would make a lot of sense, according to some who work in the monetary sector. Colorado Springs resident Robert “Bob” Shippee, a retired banker, coin collector and author, can’t believe the financial system’s smallest denomination of currency is still around. It’s time for the 1-cent piece to be retired, he said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
U.S. Unemployment Rate Falls To 4.0%, Economy Added 143,000 Jobs In January
Approved, Breitbart, National

U.S. Unemployment Rate Falls To 4.0%, Economy Added 143,000 Jobs In January

By John Carney | Breitbart Employers in the United States added 143,000 workers to their payrolls in January, the Department of Labor said Friday, and the unemployment rate slipped to 4.0 percent. Economists had been expecting 168,000 jobs and an unemployment rate unchanged at 4.1 percent, according to a survey by Econoday. The figures are seasonally adjusted. In January, there is typically a large downshift in employment in the retail sector, as businesses downsize following the holiday shopping season. Without seasonal adjustment, the data show the economy shed nearly 2.9 million jobs in January. READ THE FULL STORY AT BREITBART