Rising prices, weak consumer spending spotlight ‘stagflation’ risk

Public- and private-sector economists have flagged inflation risks and marked down estimates for economic growth this year, warning of the potential harm from tariffs.

By Jim Tyson • March 28, 2025

US will charge 25% tariffs on foreign-made cars

The increased duties will go into effect April 2, President Donald Trump said Wednesday.

By Kelly Stroh • Updated March 26, 2025

Consumer expectations for future plunge to 12-year low on tariff anxiety

Pessimism about price pressures rose, with expectations for inflation in 12 months increasing to 6.2% this month from 5.8% in February, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • March 25, 2025

Manufacturing slows as tariffs, policy shifts dim expectations: S&P

Inflation in both goods and services prices accelerated in March to the fastest pace in 23 months, hitting a 31-month high in manufacturing, S&P Global said.

By Jim Tyson • March 24, 2025

Closing carried interest tax loophole could drive predatory PE practices

The tax break incentivizes private equity firms to keep businesses for more than three years. Eliminating it could have unintended consequences, a private equity CEO writes. 

By Kade Thomas • March 21, 2025

Economic data ‘point to headwinds ahead,’ Conference Board says

Economists at several organizations have recently warned of trade war risks and forecast slower economic growth this year.

By Jim Tyson • March 20, 2025

Fed holds main rate steady, forecasts higher inflation, slower growth

“Growth looks like it's maybe moderating a bit, consumer spending moderating a bit, but still at a solid pace,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said during a press conference.

By Jim Tyson • Updated March 19, 2025

Retail sales lag expectations after falling in January

A report of weak retail sales in February aligns with a 0.5% decline in overall consumer spending in January.

By Jim Tyson • March 17, 2025

Tariffs trigger ‘horrific’ plunge in consumer sentiment

Federal Reserve officials, scheduled to assess monetary policy during a March 18-19 meeting, will likely zero in on a jump in long-term inflation expectations.

By Jim Tyson • March 14, 2025

Inflation rises less than expected as new tariffs spur price worries

Concern about the inflationary impact from tariffs has eroded confidence among both businesses and consumers, according to recent surveys.

By Jim Tyson • March 12, 2025

Small business optimism sags amid ‘uncertainty whiplash’: NFIB survey

“The economy is still growing, but at a slower and slower rate — storm clouds are forming,” the NFIB said.

By Jim Tyson • March 11, 2025

91% of economists expect big, tariff-fueled price surge: Wolters Kluwer

Despite persistent inflation, economists predict the Federal Reserve will trim the main interest rate by 0.42 percentage point this year, Wolters Kluwer found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • March 10, 2025

Fed holding rates steady while gauging impact from Trump tariffs: Powell

Inflation will probably continue to follow a “bumpy” path down to the central bank’s 2% target, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said.

By Jim Tyson • March 7, 2025

Bessent ‘not worried about inflation’ amid Trump’s tariff offensive

Revenue from new import duties “could be very substantial,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

By Jim Tyson • March 6, 2025

Companies see year-ahead inflation rising to as high as 4%: NY Fed

Trump administration tariffs risk stoking inflation, disrupting supply chains and undermining corporate earnings, Bank of America Securities analysts said.

By Jim Tyson • March 5, 2025

Tariffs likely to fuel inflation ‘relatively soon,’ Fed’s Williams says

Concern about U.S. import duties “is clearly influencing how people are thinking about inflation this year,” New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams said.

By Jim Tyson • March 4, 2025

Trump tariffs: March madness runs down the clock

Stocks slumped Monday after President Trump reasserted U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico would go into effect Tuesday.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Updated March 3, 2025

Inflation to persist above 2% Fed goal into 2027 or later: NABE

Traders in interest-rate futures increased the odds that the Federal Reserve this month will continue its pause on easing borrowing costs.

By Jim Tyson • March 3, 2025

Consumer spending falls, highlighting fading confidence

Two closely tracked gauges of consumer confidence slid in February, pushed down by concerns about import duties enacted by the Trump administration.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 28, 2025

Baker Hughes taps insider for CFO

Ahmed Moghal, who joined the energy technology company in 2017, was appointed to take the company’s finance reins Monday.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Feb. 24, 2025

Tax preparers urge Congress to protect IRS data amid DOGE advances

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has sparked privacy concerns as it has sought to tap into federal databases in its effort to cut costs and root out fraud.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Feb. 21, 2025

Consumer sentiment slumps on fears tariffs will fuel inflation

Long-run inflation expectations this month rose to 3.5% in the biggest month-over-month increase since May 2021, the University of Michigan said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 21, 2025

CEO confidence surges to three-year high, Conference Board says

CEOs and CFOs have grown more confident despite a lack of clarity in federal regulation, trade, immigration and taxation under the Trump administration.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 20, 2025

CFOs sharpen focus on supply chain strategies amid tariff threat: BDO

Despite the potential costs from import duties, “CFOs remain optimistic about growth overall,” a BDO executive said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 19, 2025

‘Overhyped’ AI may trigger setbacks in stock market: Fed official

Roughly eight out of 10 CFOs plan to boost spending on generative AI and other technologies this year, Gartner found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 18, 2025