Free Republic

Economic data across multiple metrics is coming in hot, showing the strength of the U.S. economy and the persistence of inflation in the last mile of its descent down to the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2 percent. A March uptick in the consumer price index (CPI) to an annual 3.5-percent increase could push interest rate cuts back from their predicted start date in June. The CME FedWatch forecasting algorithm put the probability of a June cut at just 21 percent Wednesday morning. The algorithm has higher odds for a cut than a pause at the rate’s current range of...

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) – The Vancouver Winter Games countdown shifts from months to days on Tuesday just as a "Pineapple Express" weather front has slammed into the Pacific Northwest dampening Olympic fever. As athletes and construction workers were pushing full speed ahead with their final preparations, VANOC officials faced their worst nightmare on Monday as unseasonably high temperatures and rain lashed the Vancouver area. Weather fronts that bring warm, wet conditions from the Pacific ocean during the winter are often described as Pineapple Expresses by local forecasters. With just one month to go until the February 12th opening ceremonies,...