Pass through of tariff costs to consumer has been slow, says Mastercard's Meyer

Economic Overview - The unemployment rate in the US rose to 4.6% in November, marking the highest level in over four years, with only 64,000 jobs added to the economy [1] - Retail sales data indicates a flat to decelerating trend, raising concerns about the resilience of consumer spending [1] Consumer Spending Trends - Positive micro data points suggest that consumer spending remains engaged, with retail sales (excluding autos) increasing by 4.1% during Black Friday [2] - E-commerce has shown double-digit growth, contributing significantly to overall retail performance, while in-store activity also remains active [3] Inflation and Pricing Dynamics - Current inflation for the holiday shopping basket is approximately 2%, slightly above last year's deflation levels, indicating a stable inflation environment [6] - The pass-through of tariffs and higher costs to consumers has been gradual, with companies adjusting their pricing strategies over time [5] Labor Market Insights - The labor market is experiencing lower churn, with a slowdown in hiring rates attributed to uncertainty surrounding trade changes and global realignment [10] - Companies are cautious in workforce allocation, considering factors such as AI investment and workforce needs, but there is no significant increase in layoffs, which is viewed as a positive sign [12]