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Updated: October 2024
September saw a surge in U.S. job growth with 254,000 new jobs, surpassing economists' predictions and signaling robust economic progress. Job gains from previous months were also revised upward by 72,000, while the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%. Inflation continues to decrease, nearing the Federal Reserve’s target, further boosting economic optimism. These developments highlight a thriving economy and strong leadership from the Biden-Harris administration.
Numbers updated: September 2024
In August, inflation fell to its lowest point in over three years, according to a report from the Labor Department. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the cost of goods and services in the U.S., went up by 0.2% for the month, which was what analysts expected, bringing the annual inflation rate down to 2.5%.
Real earnings also saw a boost, with average hourly wages increasing by 0.2% more than the CPI rise for the month. Over the past year, inflation-adjusted hourly earnings grew by 1.3%.
This is all good news for consumers who are struggling with consistently higher prices for goods, as well as employees hoping for wage increases to help with household expenses.
Numbers Updated: October 14th, 2023
US Inflation Rate Drops to 3.2%
The US inflation rate fell to 3.2% in October 2023, marking the first time it has been below 4% since December 2022. This is down from 4.2% in September and 7.1% in March, the highest level in 40 years.
The decline in inflation was driven by a drop in energy prices, which fell 4.6% in October. Food prices also fell slightly, by 0.2%.
The decline in inflation is a welcome relief for consumers, who have been struggling to keep up with rising prices. The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates in an effort to bring inflation under control, and the recent decline suggests that its efforts are starting to pay off.
Why is Inflation Decreasing?
There are a number of factors that are contributing to the recent decline in inflation. One factor is the drop in energy prices. Energy prices have fallen sharply in recent months, which has helped to lower the cost of goods and services.
Another factor is the strength of the US dollar. The US dollar has been strengthening against other currencies in recent months, which has made imports cheaper for consumers.
Finally, the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates in an effort to bring inflation under control. This has made it more expensive for businesses to borrow money, which has led to some moderation in spending.
Here are some specific reasons why inflation is decreasing:
The supply chain crisis is easing. The supply chain crisis that caused widespread disruptions to businesses and consumers in 2021 and early 2022 is starting to ease. This is leading to lower shipping costs and more availability of goods, which is putting downward pressure on prices.
Demand for goods is cooling off. After surging during the pandemic, demand for goods is starting to cool off. This is due to a number of factors, including rising prices, concerns about a recession, and shifting consumer preferences.
The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates in an effort to cool the economy and bring inflation under control. This is making it more expensive to borrow money, which is slowing down economic growth and putting downward pressure on prices.
What is Inflation?
Inflation is the rate is like when you go to the store and notice that things you want to buy, like food, cost more money than they used to. Imagine if every year, everything gets a little more expensive—that's what inflation is.
How is Inflation Measured?
We figure out how much more expensive things have gotten by looking at the prices of a bunch of different stuff that people buy a lot, like milk, bread, and clothes. We put all these things into an imaginary shopping basket called the Consumer Price Index, or CPI. Then we can say, "Last year, this basket cost this much, and now it costs this much more," and we say that's inflation. We talk about it as a percentage to make it easier to understand and compare.
How will the decline in inflation affect consumers?
The decline in inflation is likely to provide some relief to consumers. With prices for goods and services falling, consumers will have more money to spend on other things. This could lead to increased economic activity and job growth.
However, it is important to note that the decline in inflation is likely to be gradual. It is unlikely that prices will fall significantly overnight. Consumers should continue to budget carefully and make informed decisions about their spending.