#inflation

#inflation

If you think your burger, burrito, or cold brew already costs too much, brace yourself - restaurant groups say they would have to raise prices by 30% just to stay profitable amid rising costs. In a new survey from the restaurant management software company Toast, nearly half of restaurant operators said they plan to increase menu prices if inflation, tariffs, and labor costs continue to climb.

The S&P 500 has served as an excellent benchmark for the state of U.S. economy for decades. Its reliability, touted by icons like Warren Buffett, has become such that S&P 500 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from Vanguard, State Street and BlackRock - among others - are among the largest in the industry. However, the "buy it and forget it" approach of investing solely in the S&P 500's appreciation may often leave potentially larger gains on the table.

a takeaway oat-milk latte from a bog-standard roadside chain somewhere in Berkshire. The shock was that it was over 5. Coffee hasn't really been cheap for ages, for complex reasons post-pandemic inflation, a Russian war pushing up energy prices, a climate crisis having an effect on coffee bean growth, last year's budget tax hikes that capture the bitter flavours of the last few years in a cup.

By some surveys, public opinion on the economy is roughly as negative as at the height of Biden-era inflation or even the 2008 global financial crisis. It appears to reflect some underlying weakness in the economic forces that most directly affect Americans' well-being, which are not evident in big-picture economic data. Driving the news: The new Axios Vibes survey by the Harris Poll shows 65% of Americans see themselves as either sometimes or regularly financially squeezed each month, up from 58% in June 2024.

Grande shared a post Sunday from liberal activist Matt Bernstein that included a paragraph that said, It's been 250 days. Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all has your life gotten better? Entertainment Weekly received a statement from the White House on the Wicked star's political statement online.

While many considerations, such as inflation, tariffs, and supply chain dynamics undoubtedly impact grocery prices, the price of eggs is especially sensitive. Factors like feed prices, flock size, and the avian flu contribute to this fluctuation. In 2025, eggs are recovering from a significant influx, surging from $8 in March before falling to $2.75 in August. This dramatic example shows how volatile the egg market really can be.

The Bank of England's decision to maintain the base interest rate at 4% until 2026 offers UK SMEs a rare opportunity amidst these ongoing economic challenges. This stability is crucial as inflation remains at 3.8%, creating a complex landscape that demands careful navigation by businesses. However, while stable interest rates can provide predictable borrowing costs - enabling SMEs to plan investments and manage cash flow - persistent inflation means that operational expenses are still rising, putting pressure on profit margins across various sectors.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently addressed the challenging economic situation faced by the United States, citing weakening labor market conditions and persistent inflation. Powell emphasized the Fed's dual mandate to maintain stable prices and maximum employment, acknowledging the risks on both fronts. Despite the concerns, Powell expressed optimism about the resilience of the U.S. economy amidst policy changes. While Powell defended the Fed's current rate policy, he hinted at the possibility of further rate cuts if necessary, emphasizing that policy decisions are not predetermined.

A slow week with little important economic news (other than yesterday's Bureau of Labor Statistics report on falling first-time unemployment filings) got busy in a hurry on Friday, with the U.S. Commerce Department revealing the personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE) increased 0.3% in August. The new data clocks the annual U.S. inflation rate at 2.7%. Volatile food and energy prices, once excluded to give a "core" inflation rate, rose 0.2% to 2.9%.

"The global economy has remained resilient, but the full effects of higher tariffs and policy uncertainty have yet to be felt. Global economic growth is projected to slow, and significant risks remain, as well as concerns about fiscal sustainability and financial stability," OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said.

Established wisdom used to be that buying a game console at launch was a bad idea. It was the worst-possible version of the experience: launch consoles cost more and had fewer games, and often these consoles got not only cheaper but better over time, through revisions that made them smaller or added features. For the current generation, though, those who bought at launch look like geniuses - video game consoles just keep getting more expensive. And it couldn't come at a worse time for the industry.

By the numbers: Marion County's paycheck increase brought Indy's average weekly wages to $1,779, or around $137 more a week than last year's average pay, per BLS' preliminary numbers. In Hamilton County, average weekly wages rose 2.6%, or around $38, to $1,476. Hendricks County wages rose 2.2%, or around $35, to $1,083. Caveat: The data tracks where people earn their money, not where they live.

"Most businesses are making ­decisions to cut hours as they try to stay viable. We all want our staff to have a good standard of living but they have issues with housing, healthcare, childcare and energy costs, and we can't keep forcing those costs back on businesses. "We are now going from the best ­little country in the world to do business to the most expensive country in the world to do business... People have to start reading the tea leaves."