SIMONE DEL ROSARIO: IN ONE MORE SIGN INFLATION ISN’T BUDGING, PRODUCER PRICES SURGED 10.8% IN MAY FROM A YEAR AGO.
THE INDEX MEASURES INFLATION BEFORE IT REACHES CONSUMERS – THINK WHOLESALE PRICES. REMEMBER CONSUMER PRICES WERE UP 8.6% IN MAY, A FRESH 40 YEAR HIGH.
THIS IS NOTABLE: 40% OF MAY’S PRICE HIKE IN WHOLESALE GOODS CAN BE TIED TO GAS PRICES, WHICH ARE NOW EVEN HIGHER IN JUNE, AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.
THE LATEST NUMBERS PUT EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON THE FEDERAL RESERVE TO BRING DOWN INFLATION AS IT KICKS OFF ITS 2-DAY POLICY MEETING.
LAST MONTH THE FED FLOATED A HALF POINT RATE HIKE IN JUNE AND JULY. RAISING THE INTEREST RATE IS A WAY TO TRY TO COOL CONSUMER DEMAND AND BRING DOWN PRICES.
BUT AFTER INFLATION CAME IN HOTTER THAN EXPECTED – NOW THE STREET THINKS THERE’S A CASE FOR A MORE AGGRESSIVE THREE QUARTER POINT HIKE – WE’LL BRING YOU THE FED’S DECISION WEDNESDAY.
WALL STREET IS OFFICIALLY IN A BEAR MARKET AFTER MONDAY’S STOCK TUMBLE, WHILE INVESTORS’ FEARS OF STAGFLATION ARE AT THE HIGHEST POINT SINCE THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS, ACCORDING TO A BANK OF AMERICA SURVEY.
IN NEW YORK FOR JUST BUSINESS I’M SIMONE DEL ROSARIO.