News

US producer inflation, labor market stable ahead of tariff turbulence

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. producer prices were unchanged in February for the first time in seven months, while fewer Americans filed claims for unemployment benefits last week, pointing to a stable economy that should allow the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates steady next Wednesday. But the calm painted by the reports from the Labor Department on Thursday could be upended by radical government spending cuts, which have pushed thousands of federal employees and contractors out of work, and an escalating trade war stemming from broad import tariffs. The aggressive policies pursued by President Donald Trump's administration have sent business and consumer confidence plummeting, and raised the chances of a recession.

February US wholesale prices unchanged showing inflation easing, though trade wars threaten trend

U.S. wholesale inflation decelerated last month, suggesting that price pressures are easing for now. The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — was unchanged from January after rising 0.6% the month before. Compared to a year earlier, producer prices were up 3.2%, down from a year-over-year gain of 3.7% in January.

Fewer Americans file for jobless claims last week, signaling a still-healthy US labor market

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week, indicating a still-healthy U.S. labor market. U.S. jobless claims filings fell by 2,000 to 220,000 for the week ending March 8, the Labor Department said Thursday. It’s not clear when job cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency will show up in the weekly layoffs report, though some analysts expect them to surface in data in the coming weeks.

Republicans Urge Fed to Alter Supplementary Leverage Ratio

(Bloomberg) -- Five House Republicans urged Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to take steps to improve liquidity in the Treasury securities market, including considering “targeted” changes to bank capital requirements.Most Read from BloombergTrump DEI Purge Hits Affordable Housing GroupsElectric Construction Equipment Promises a Quiet RevolutionNYC Congestion Pricing Toll Gains Support Among City ResidentsOpen Philanthropy Launches $120 Million Fund To Support YIMBY ReformsProspect Medical’s P

Canadian Auto Parts Stocks Thrown Into a Tailspin by Tariff Woes

(Bloomberg) -- Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. Sign up here.Most Read from BloombergTrump DEI Purge Hits Affordable Housing GroupsElectric Construction Equipment Promises a Quiet RevolutionNYC Congestion Pricing Toll Gains Support Among City ResidentsOpen Philanthropy Launches $120 Million Fund To Support YIMBY ReformsProspect Medical’s Pennsylvania Hospitals at Risk of ClosureCanada’s biggest auto parts names are buckling under the weight of US President Donald Trum