Consumers’ view of the U.S. economy has been shaped by the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which has boosted inflation in large part due to rising energy prices. The uncertain timeline for an end to the conflict has in turn led to an uncertain economic outlook, including by those at the Federal Reserve.…

The post Consumer Confidence Dips in Shadow of Iran War appeared first on RISMedia.

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Consumer sentiment experienced a third consecutive month of decline this month, per the University of Michigan’s closely watched survey of consumers. Consumer sentiment went from 49.8 in April to 44.8 in May, a 10% drop. The dramatic decline underscores how severely the Iran conflict, combined with soaring energy prices and trade uncertainty, has eroded American…

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The economy has seen numerous challenges over the past few months, from a soft but improving labor market to high inflation. The latter, largely attributed to the ongoing U.S.-Iran War and resulting energy price spikes, has also driven mortgage rates upward, and the Federal Reserve has signaled willingness to increase interest rates if inflation continues…

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Jerome Powell’s tenure as chair of the Federal Reserve concludes on May 15, bringing the eight years he has spent in the role to a close. Since the second Trump administration commenced, Powell (who was appointed to the Fed by Trump in 2018) has come under criticism from the President for, in Trump’s view, a…

The post Trump’s Nominee to Lead Federal Reserve Confirmed by U.S. Senate appeared first on RISMedia.

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Inflation shot up once again in April as energy prices continue to see large jolts both monthly and yearly, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economists warn the country may now be facing an “inflation contagion,” with the path ahead murkier than before.  The Consumer Price Index’s (CPI) all items…

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Since the commencement of the U.S. and Iran war, energy prices have soared, and the latest findings from the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index (the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation) found that catching up. The PCE price index experienced a large bump in March 2026; after hovering around 2.9% annual…

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Nonprofit business research organization The Conference Board released its latest Leading Economic Index (LEI)—which provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading—showing a decline of 0.6% in March 2026, more than reversing its 0.3% increase in February.  Overall, the LEI fell by 1.0% over the…

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Jerome Powell’s reign at the Fed may be at its end, but he’s not going anywhere.  On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its April Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at a rate of 3.5%-3.75% for the third straight month since December’s quarter-point cut.  And…

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