Rising gasoline and food prices lifted U.S. consumer spending in March and the increase in overall inflation from a year-ago was the largest in 10 months, government data showed on Friday.
U.S. consumer spending rose in March as households stretched to cover higher costs for food and gasoline, with inflation posting its biggest year-on-year rise in 10 months.
The dollar hit new 2011 lows against the euro and the British pound yesterday, while the Dollar Index (USDX) is currently trading at around 73 - close to record lows.
Gold continued its explosive rise, when measured in the falling US dollar currency, on Friday trading for $1,540 per ounce, marking a new record high yet again and set for its seventh successive weekly gain.
Euro zone inflation rose further above the European Central Bank's target in April, increasing the chances of an interest rate rise in June, despite a weakening of economic sentiment and household demand.
Oil prices hovered near 31-month highs as a weak dollar and violence in North Africa and the Middle East outweighed concerns about slowing growth in top consumer the United States.
Rising gasoline and food prices lifted consumer spending in March and the increase in overall inflation from a year-ago was the largest in 10 months, government data showed on Friday.
Euro zone inflation rose further above the European Central Bank's target in April, data showed on Friday, increasing the chances of another interest rate rise in June, despite a weakening of economic sentiment.
Silver and gold were within sight of historic highs on Friday and could resume an uptrend as the U.S. dollar held near three-year lows against a basket of currencies on hopes U.S. monetary policy would stay ultra-loose, keeping inflationary price pressures high.
The take away from Bernanke's comments yesterday should allay any fears that the Federal Reserve will be lifting interest rates any time soon.
Economic growth braked sharply in the first quarter as higher food and gasoline prices dampened consumer spending and sent inflation rising at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years.
Economic growth braked sharply in the first quarter as higher food and gasoline prices dampened consumer spending and sent inflation rising at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years.
Silver soared to an all-time high on Thursday and gold rose to another record, as a falling dollar and signs that the Federal Reserve would maintain a loose monetary policy boosted precious metals' appeal as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter as higher food and gasoline prices dampened consumer spending, and sent a broad measure of inflation rising at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years.
Gold prices jumped after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s press conference because he confirmed that he doesn’t understand monetary inflation.
U.S. GDP growth fell to 1.8 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2011 after a 3.1 percent fourth quarter rise, the Commerce Department said on Thursday. Economists had expected a 2 percent growth pace.
Gold Investing prices extended last night's strong gains on Thursday, hitting fresh all-time highs at $1534 per ounce as new US data showed inflation accelerating sharply.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) that robust economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region may lead to overheating and rising inflationary pressures.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s press conference proceeded largely as expected. He didn’t say too many new things and mostly restated his well-known position. Below are some of the important highlights.
The Federal Reserve signaled on Wednesday it is in no rush to scale back its extensive support for the U.S. economy and said a run-up in commodity prices that has dented growth should be fleeting.
FOMC statement from April 27, 2011
FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) Chairman Ben Bernanke, for the first time ever, will hold a press conference on Wednesday after the FOMC’s monetary policy statement.
