The Federal Reserve is meeting this week to decide on its latest interest rate hike, and one of the big questions going into the meeting is how the nation's top bankers are thinking about inflation. 

The latest numbers from the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index, which is the Fed's preferred measure, show prices increasing 0.1 percent month-over-month in December. 

This compares to the latest consumer price index, which showed prices falling 0.1 percent. 

Excluding volatile energy and food prices, the PCE measure is up at a slightly higher rate of  0.3 percent — though the index overall is at a 15-month low. 

"It all adds up to a real break for consumers, real breathing room for families, and more proof that my economic plan is working," said President Joe Biden earlier this month. 

Yet whether or not the recent price moderation is enough for the Fed to go ahead with a 25-basis-point rate hike as expected won't be clear until the FOMC meeting on Wednesday.

Share:
More In Business
Stretching Your Dollar: Navigating Insurance
Millions of people have selected insurance plans for 2024 but sometimes navigating them can be tricky time consuming and expensive. Paula Pant, host of 'Afford Anything' podcast, joined Cheddar News to break down what's needed to know about their insurance plans.
Study: Over 58% of Hybrid Workers Are 'Coffee Badging'
With more employees being called back to the office, many workers are suddenly protesting by being in the office for as little time as possible. As the term suggests, coffee-badging means coming in for just enough time to have a cup of coffee, show your face, and swipe your badge.
Securitize: Join The Private Credit Boom
Cheddar News' Need2Know is brought to you by Securitize, which helps unlock broader access to alternative investments in private businesses, funds, and other alternative assets. The private credit boom is here and the Hamilton Lane Senior Credit Opportunities Fund has tripled in assets under management in just six months from November 2022 through April this year. Visit Securitize.io to learn more.
Load More