Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press

Christopher Rugaber is a reporter with The Associated Press,  an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City and founded in 1846.

Inflation has slowed. Now the Fed faces expectations for rate cuts

Policy

Inflation has slowed. Now the Fed faces expectations for rate cuts

Most economists expect the first rate cut to occur in May or June

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |January 29, 2024

1 min read

Americans’ economic outlook brightens as inflation slows

Economic Indicators

Americans’ economic outlook brightens as inflation slows

A measure of consumer sentiment has jumped by the most since 1991

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |January 24, 2024

1 min read

U.S. consumer inflation eased as gas prices fell, though some costs kept surging

Economic Indicators

U.S. consumer inflation eased as gas prices fell, though some costs kept surging

The stickiness of inflation in the service sector will likely keep the Federal Reserve on guard

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |December 12, 2023

1 min read

Fed set to leave rates unchanged while facing speculation about cuts

Policy

Fed set to leave rates unchanged while facing speculation about cuts

Wednesday's rate announcement follows an inflation report on Tuesday

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |December 11, 2023

1 min read

Decorative pattern

Policy

Fed’s Waller raises possibility of a rate cut by spring if inflation keeps slowing

The remarks on Tuesday suggested the Fed's outlook for interest rates may have decisively shifted in the past few months

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |November 28, 2023

1 min read

Federal Reserve minutes: Officials saw inflation slowing but will monitor data to ensure progress

Policy

Federal Reserve minutes: Officials saw inflation slowing but will monitor data to ensure progress

Most economists say they think the central bank is done raising rates

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |November 21, 2023

1 min read

U.S. consumers keep spending in face of persistent inflation and high interest rates

Economic Indicators

U.S. consumers keep spending in face of persistent inflation and high interest rates

While prices for many goods are falling, the price increases for services remain chronically high

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |October 27, 2023

1 min read

Federal Reserve minutes: Officials signal cautious approach to rates amid heightened uncertainty

Economic Indicators

Federal Reserve minutes: Officials signal cautious approach to rates amid heightened uncertainty

The Fed may be able to avoid a rate hike at its next two-day meeting

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |October 11, 2023

1 min read

U.S. employers add a surprising 336,000 jobs in September

Economic Indicators

U.S. employers add a surprising 336,000 jobs in September

This sustained strength makes it likelier that the Federal Reserve will raise its key rate again before year's end

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |October 6, 2023

1 min read

Rising long-term interest rates pose latest threat to soft landing for U.S.

Economic Indicators

Rising long-term interest rates pose latest threat to soft landing for U.S.

Higher borrowing costs could lead Federal Reserve to forgo another hike

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |October 5, 2023

1 min read

Why the U.S. job market has defied rising rates and expectations of high unemployment

Economic Indicators

Why the U.S. job market has defied rising rates and expectations of high unemployment

The unemployment rate has scarcely budged since the Fed began a series of 11 rate hikes

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |September 25, 2023

1 min read

Federal Reserve is poised to leave rates unchanged as it tracks progress toward a soft landing

Economic Indicators

Federal Reserve is poised to leave rates unchanged as it tracks progress toward a soft landing

Another rate hike this year will likely remain on the table, and Fed officials may project fewer cuts for next year

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |September 18, 2023

1 min read

Decorative pattern

Economic Indicators

Fed’s preferred inflation gauge shows modest rise in latest sign of slowing price increases

Economists, traders increasingly believe Federal Reserve won't hike in September

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |August 31, 2023

1 min read

Job vacancies, quits plunge in stark sign of cooling trend in U.S. labour market

Economic Indicators

Job vacancies, quits plunge in stark sign of cooling trend in U.S. labour market

The Federal Reserve will likely welcome Tuesday's data

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |August 29, 2023

1 min read

ECB’s Lagarde says interest rates to stay high as long as needed to defeat inflation

Economic Indicators

ECB’s Lagarde says interest rates to stay high as long as needed to defeat inflation

Her address followed a speech earlier Friday in Jackson Hole by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |August 25, 2023

1 min read

U.S. inflation has steadily cooled. Getting it down to the Fed’s target rate will be the toughest mile

Economic Indicators

U.S. inflation has steadily cooled. Getting it down to the Fed’s target rate will be the toughest mile

Sticky inflation could endanger the possibility of a rare ``soft landing''

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |August 8, 2023

1 min read

Decorative pattern

Market Insights

U.S. job openings fall to lowest level in 2 years as demand for workers cools

Data suggests the labour market is slowly normalizing from post-pandemic extremes

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |August 1, 2023

1 min read

U.S. economy could be spared a full-scale downturn

Economic Indicators

U.S. economy could be spared a full-scale downturn

Here's how certain trends may play out

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |July 27, 2023

1 min read

Federal Reserve raises key rate for 11th time in drive to slow inflation

Economic Indicators

Federal Reserve raises key rate for 11th time in drive to slow inflation

A key question is whether Wednesday's increase will be the Fed's last

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |July 26, 2023

1 min read

Federal Reserve minutes: Some officials wanted to raise interest rates last month

Economic Indicators

Federal Reserve minutes: Some officials wanted to raise interest rates last month

Many economists described the message from the June meeting as a blurry one

By Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press |July 5, 2023

1 min read

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