Inflation

U.S. consumers turn to credit for basic necessities

Anybody with a little knowledge of how credit works would advise you to refrain from making day-to- day purchases from credit. The old wise men would suggest that one should take loans only if the amount is to be used for a capital asset or an asset whose value appreciates over time.

Consumer spending drops as gas prices rise

The Commerce Department reported Monday that consumer spending dropped 0.1 percent as the gas prices continue to soar. Rising gas prices coupled with increasing unemployment is putting pressure on the budget of the consumers forcing them to cut optional purchases.

Whirlpool Q1 earnings, sales rise

Whirlpool, world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, announced first-quarter net earnings of $169 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, Wednesday.

The Only Way to Beat Inflation

 Investors have always looked to protect themselves from the impact of higher prices. When inflation-indexed bonds first came out more than 10 years ago, they filled a huge void for those investors. Yet although their returns are still based on price changes, these investments haven't fulfilled their promise of being a viable way for long-term investors to preserve and build their wealth.

 

Price gain near zero in September

Washington -- Consumer prices climbed a shallow 0.1 percent in September putting the annual rate of inflation at 1.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Core consumer prices that exclude the more volatile categories of food and energy were flat in September compared to August for the second consecutive month and for the fourth month since March. On an annual basis core prices are up 0.8 percent, the government said.

In a speech in Boston, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said, "It seems likely that inflation trends will remain subdued for some time."

British food prices escalating

London -- Inflation could drive the cost of most food staples up as much as seven percent, Britain's Food and Agriculture Organization said.

The price of meat, dairy and sugar rose 1.7 percent in June, and is likely to continue escalating if global food commodity prices continue to rise, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"Such an increase (in food prices) would hit consumer spending and recovery prospects and could destabilize inflationary expectations," said economist Simon Ward.

Rising food prices could delay or cancel Britain's plan to impose a value-added tax this year, the report said.

The organization said its monthly food index said prices in August climbed at the fastest rate since September 2008.

DOT proposes additional consumer protection rules for air travelers

Additional consumer protection rules were proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in order to avoid tarmac delay and other inconveniences to the airline travelers.

Inflation Coming? Better Get Insured (Fool TV)

Most economists agree that the United States is girding for a bout with inflation. And the prevailing wisdom is that when greenbacks are cheap, investors should look to hard assets such as oil and gold, or consumer-goods brands, which continue to command premium prices in good times and bad.

Eurozone inflation rises to 1.5%; jobless rate remains 10%

As anticipated by analysts, inflation in the 16-nation euro region increased in April, according to the figures released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Interest rates to rise in US

Americans have for long enjoyed the low interest rates. Now with the nation’s economy back on the road to recovery, consumers will be facing a financial burden of rising interest rates.

Eurozone's inflation rises to 1.5% in March

Beating analysts’ expectations, inflation accelerated in 16 countries that use euro, according to an official report released Wednesday.

UK inflation drops to 3% in February

The UK economy witnessed a fall in inflation in February compared to previous month, according to a report released by the Office for National Statistics Tuesday.