Money

The true cost of inflation: How many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck?

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2023

Amid the Federal Reserve’s persistent efforts to rein in inflation, a study has revealed that over 60% of Americans are grappling with living paycheck to paycheck, highlighting the enduring impact of high price escalations.

Conducted by LendingClub, the survey unveiled that 61% of adults struggled to make financial ends meet in July—a surge from 59% recorded in the same month of the previous year.

The survey’s findings correlate with recently released federal government data, indicating a 0.2% increase in the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, a pivotal gauge of inflation closely monitored by the Federal Reserve.

Core prices, excluding the more volatile food and energy components, have surged by 4.2% over the past year.

The report further elucidates that Americans are allocating more funds to dine out, attend live events, buy toys, clothing, and prescription drugs. Ordering dishes containing beef and veal has escalated by nearly 11% in July compared to the previous year. Similarly, having a beer at a bar or restaurant became around 4% costlier last month than in the corresponding period last year.

Clothing and footwear prices have risen by over 2.4% year-over-year in July, while children’s clothing experienced a steep 5.4% surge. Medical expenditures have also seen an uptick, with pharmaceutical costs soaring by 3.4% and prescription drug prices rising by 2.8% in July.

Healthcare expenses have amplified as well, with dental visits costing 5.3% more in July compared to the same period the previous year.

As the Federal Reserve contemplates whether to raise interest rates once more during its upcoming meeting, the latest data provide context. Expectations remain that the central bankers will retain the current rate range of 5.25%-5.5%, following a 25 basis point increase in July.

A recent statement from Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist highlighted that Americans are now shelling out an additional $709 monthly for essential goods and services compared to just two years ago.

Money

Australia’s inflation report and Nvidia earnings impact explained

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Published

3 days ago

February 26, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Australia’s latest inflation report is creating waves across the market, with questions about interest rates, the strong performance of the Aussie dollar, and the uneven nature of the stock market rally. Investors are watching closely as changes in carry trade risks this month add another layer of complexity.

David Scutt from StoneX discusses what these shifts mean for trading strategies and the broader economic outlook. He provides insight into how underlying factors are shaping investor confidence and market dynamics.

On the tech side, Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are expected to influence AI development and the broader tech sector. Coupled with trends in SaaS and bitcoin price action, these movements are signalling how investor sentiment is evolving in a fast-changing landscape.

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#AustraliaEconomy #InflationReport #AussieDollar #NvidiaEarnings #AIInvesting #StockMarketNews #BitcoinTrends #SaaSInsights

Money

U.S. stocks rally as AMD, Home Depot, and AI software lead gains

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

Published

4 days ago

February 25, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

U.S. tech stocks surged as investors’ fears over AI disruption eased. Advanced Micro Devices jumped 9% after Meta announced a multiyear deal to deploy AMD’s graphics processing units for AI data centres. The move highlights growing corporate confidence in AI infrastructure investments.

DocuSign also rose 3% following Anthropic’s confirmation that Claude Cowork can integrate with DocuSign, Google Drive, and Gmail, signalling stronger adoption of AI tools across industries.

The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF climbed 2% despite remaining over 30% below its 52-week high, showing tech stocks are recovering but still have room to run.

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Money

Stocks tumble amid AI concerns and Trump tariff update

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Published

5 days ago

February 24, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Stocks plunged sharply as concerns over artificial intelligence and trade tensions rattled investors, sending the Dow down more than 800 points. Heavyweights like American Express, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan were key contributors to the drop.

Software companies were hit particularly hard after a report suggested AI could impact economic growth, triggering further losses across tech shares.

Trade-sensitive retailers including American Eagle Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, and Yeti Holdings also faced setbacks as market uncertainty spiked. Bonds, meanwhile, rallied as investors sought safety in a volatile market.

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