The US job market has shown signs of strain, with unemployment figures rising and job growth slowing down. But is this a precursor to a larger economic downturn, or just a temporary blip in the radar? Let's dive into the numbers and the sentiment to uncover the story behind the statistics.
In the latest economic update, fresh inflation data released on Friday revealed a subtle yet significant shift. The Commerce Department's personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose by just 0.1% last month. This modest increase aligns with expectations, placing the annual inflation rate for the 12 months through June at a mere 2.5%—the smallest year-over-year gain in four months. But what does this mean for the economy and the Federal Reserve's ongoing efforts?