WSJ's Take On the Week

Still Have Inflation Concerns? Spending Data May Offer Insight

12.17.2023 - By The Wall Street JournalPlay

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This week, we’re getting data from the Federal Reserve's favored measure of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures report, or PCE. While surprisingly strong consumer spending has helped boost the economy this past year, several reports show that consumers’ spending may be getting maxed out by high grocery prices and rising costs for medical care and transportation. Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP, joins to share what rising jobless claims and strong consumer spending means for the economy. Plus, Carmax and FedEx are expected to release their earnings report this week. While the two companies may seem disconnected, they now share a common competitor: Amazon. The e-commerce giant has recently announced plans to begin selling cars online, and just weeks before, officially became the largest delivery company in the U.S. WSJ’s Amazon reporter Dana Mattioli joins to share what Amazon’s business moves mean for companies like Carmax and FedEx.

Further Reading

Inflation Edges Lower, but Still Too High for the Fed 

How Inflation Can Keep Falling 

Hyundai to Be First Automaker to Sell New Cars on Amazon 

The Biggest Delivery Business in the U.S. Is No Longer UPS or FedEx 

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