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Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Lower Inflation?

This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the “Consumer Price Index – October 2022,” better known as the CPI. This is the most widely used definition of inflation in the United States. Given the…

Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Deja Vu, Again

What a difference a week and one economic report make! Things HAD been going somewhat swimmingly in September. Unfortunately, on Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) drained the pool with a disappointing Consumer Price Index…

Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Football Season

In Alabama, the college football season officially starts September 3rd. On that Saturday, Auburn takes on Mercer, and Alabama squares off against Utah State. I can hardly wait. Hey, don’t get me wrong — I am…

Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Recession

Some years ago, a wise person told me the true definition of an economic downturn is: “having to go without stuff your grandparents wouldn’t have dreamed of having in the first place.” I am not sure…

Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Rate Hikes

Next week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release the Consumer Price Index (CPI), colloquially known as inflation, for March 2022. The “Street” is anticipating a reading of 1.2% for the month, which would take…

Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Bizarro World

Yesterday, I had an early morning TV interview with the Fox affiliate here in town. Not surprisingly, the topic was this week’s rate hike, and the impact it will ultimately have on the US consumer and…

Update: The Fed Rate Hike

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC or Committee), the monetary policy making arm of the Federal Reserve, concluded its 2-day meeting this afternoon, and raised the overnight target lending rate between member banks by 0.25% (25…

Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Groundhog Day

Perhaps it is appropriate Groundhog Day is next week, because there was a distinct feeling of déjà vu this past week. Obviously, this is in reference to the movie of the same name in which the…

Common Cents Blog

Common Cents & Red Ink

Two weeks into the new calendar year, and feels like all heck has broken loose. There has been a lot of red ink in the US financial markets. Stocks, bonds, currency? Take your pick. US dollar-denominated…