Surging inflation fears sent markets tumbling and Fed officials scrambling

[ad_1] A sign advertising units for rent is displayed outside of a Manhattan building on April 11, 2024 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images The early data is in for the path of inflation during the first three months of 2024, and the news so far is, well, not good. Pick your poison. Whether it’s prices at the register or wholesale input costs, while inflation is off the blistering pace of 2022, it doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. Future expectations also have been drifting…

Key Fed inflation gauge rose 2.8% annually in February, as expected

[ad_1] Inflation rose in line with expectations in February, likely keeping the Federal Reserve on hold before it can start considering interest rate cuts, according to a measure the central bank considers its more important barometer. The personal consumption expenditures price index excluding food and energy increased 2.8% on a 12-month basis and was up 0.3% from a month ago, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Both numbers matched the Dow Jones estimates. Including volatile food and energy costs, the headline PCE reading showed a 0.3% increase for the month and…