Surging inflation has eased in recent months, but more evidence is needed to show that price increases are coming down in the long term, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP) (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
Prices rose half a percent in January, according to the latest consumer price index. That is up from a 0.1 percent decline in December, and five times the 0.1 percent increase in November.
The monthly uptick was in line with expectation, though the year-over-year rate came in higher than expected 6.4 percent, a marginal drop from a 6.5 percent rate in December.
Shelter (i.e. housing) contributed the largest share to the monthly increase, rising 0.7 percent.
Energy costs were also up across the board. The price of piped gas shot up 6.7 percent, while energy overall was up 2 percent after two straight months of declines.
Food prices, meanwhile, were up 0.5 percent. That is up from 0.4 percent in December, but still low relative to the last six months.
Used car prices also continued their steady decline, dropping 1.7 percent month-over-month and 11.6 percent year-over-year.
Despite the month-over-month drop, the annual rate has slowed for seven straight months.
Online tickets marketplace Vivid Seats CEO Stan Chia joined Cheddar’s "Opening Bell" to discuss the decision behind launching an IPO via a SPAC merger with Horizon Acquisition Corporation. According to Chia, it was the best route for the company as it looked to partner with a proven track record to strategize for the future. He also noted that pent-up demand for live events is as high as it's been in five years due to the pandemic. Shares are listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol SEAT.
Southwest Airlines has reversed course on plans to place unvaccinated workers who seek medical or religious exemption on unpaid leave following the federally mandated Dec. 8 vaccination deadline. Instead, the airline will allow them to continue working under COVID protocols like masking and social distancing.
Ahead of the holiday season, Amazon is looking to hire 150,000 seasonal employees, a 50 percent increase over the previous year. The starting pay will be $18 an hour with $3,000 sign-on bonuses, depending on the location.
Toyota is pledging to invest $3.4 billion into developing hybrid car batteries in the United States through 2030. The Japanese carmaker plans to establish a U.S. factory by 2025 and expects to create 1,750 jobs.
