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The US economy added 336,000 jobs in September — a surprising surge that raises the risk that the Federal Reserve will further tighten interest rates to tamp down inflation. The blowout number was nearly double the 170,000 jobs economists had expected, and marks a sharp increase from the 187,000 jobs gained in August, according to fresh data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. The report also showed that wages increases were smaller than expected and the unemployment held steady at 3.8% — slightly above the 3.7% forecast and even with the jobless rate in August, which had...

Gas prices are coming down slowly here in East/Central Illinois and while they are still well above prices two years ago they are down a great deal from their high of $5.99/gal a few months ago.I'm curious as to why that is and do you think they will continue to fall thru the end of the year, as a bonus question, will they go back up after the elections? Thanks!

High inflation has captured the headlines as of late particularly as CPI recently hit the highest levels since 1981. Some are even suggesting we will face hyperinflation. However, while inflation is certainly present, the question to be answered is whether it will remain that way, or if the worst may already be behind us? To answer that question, let’s define the difference between an inflationary increase and hyperinflation. Not surprisingly, as Milton Friedman stated, “Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon. It is always and everywhere a result of too much money, of a more rapid increase of money,...

While retail investors head for the exits as stock prices sharply fluctuate, Evercore ISI’s Julian Emanuel wants to put money to work. He calls the market environment very ugly, but he believes the economy will avert a recession — particularly due to healthy credit markets and continued gains. “The path to higher [stock] prices really is a function of being able to discount the macro news and focus on the fact that you’re still going to have mid-to-high, single-digit earnings growth,” the firm’s senior managing director told CNBC’s “Fast Money” on Tuesday. His S&P 500 year-end target is 4,800, which...

U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in January, offering the economy a strong boost at the start of the first quarter, but price pressures continued to mount, with annual inflation surging at rates last experienced four decades ago. Growth prospects were further brightened by other data on Friday showing solid demand by businesses for equipment last month. The reports from the Commerce Department suggested underlying strength in the economy that could sustain the expansion as the Federal Reserve starts raising interest rates to quell inflation, and provide a shield from the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The first...

U.S. job growth blew past expectations in January, brushing off a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide that loomed over the economy as it threatened to sideline millions of workers.The Labor Department said in its monthly payroll report released Friday that payrolls in January rose by 467,000, easily topping the 150,000 jobs gain forecast by Refinitiv economists. The unemployment rate, which is calculated based on a separate survey, ticked up slightly to 4%. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.