Inflation Trends - Japan's inflation surpasses U S inflation, a situation unseen since 1979 [1]

There are precious few trading days left in 2025. If history is your guide — and you share the cheery disposition of the season’s round-bellied, red-cheeked representative — you might be in luck. Signs of the year-end, so-called Santa Claus rally may have emerged late last week amid investors’ concern that a rough December would leave them with the proverbial coal in their stock holdings this Christmas. SUBSCRIBE:  Receive more of our free The Daily Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Backed by ‘Bank of Dad,’ ...

Industry Overview - The U.S. packaged foods industry has faced significant challenges over the past couple of years due to a combination of factors including inflation, supply chain issues, tariffs, store brands, and changing nutritional trends and consumer preferences [1] Analyst Background - Ian Bezek, a former hedge fund analyst, has extensive experience in Latin American markets and specializes in high-quality compounders and growth stocks at reasonable prices in the U.S. and other developed markets [1]

Industry Overview - The U.S. packaged foods industry has faced significant challenges over the past couple of years due to a combination of factors including inflation, supply chain issues, tariffs, and changing consumer preferences [1] Market Dynamics - The industry is experiencing shifts in nutritional trends and consumer preferences, which are impacting sales and market strategies [1]

Uniqlo's owner will raise base salaries for new graduates in Japan by as much as 12%, stepping up efforts to secure and retain talent as the country’s workers grapple with inflation https://t.co/Zy6tSjmXXx ...

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack said she saw no need to change US interest rates for months ahead after the central bank cut borrowing costs at its last three meetings, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.Hammack opposed recent rate cuts as she is more worried about elevated inflation than the potential labor-market fragility that prompted officials to lower rates by a cumulative 75 basis points over the past few months, the report added.Hammack told the Journal that the Fed ...

Joining me now is Pennsylvania Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanland. She's a member of the House Judiciary and Rules Committees. Welcome, Congresswoman.Um, so earlier this month, President Trump came to a key Pennsylvania swing district insisting inflation is quote no longer a problem and Pennsylvania is prospering again, even as voters there know their grocery and utility bills keep climbing. So, what do you say to Pennians who hear the White House claiming victory on prices while their costs are still going up ...

🇺🇸 HUGE: Cathie Wood says 2026 will be a Goldilocks year in 2026 while predicting inflation to drop to 0. https://t.co/jAGykuunN1 ...

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Affordability Crisis - Investopedia's most searched word of the year is "affordability," reflecting widespread concerns about the cost of living [1] - Housing, healthcare, and food costs are major contributors to the affordability crisis, disproportionately impacting working families [2][7][10] Housing Market - The median price for an existing home in America was $415,000 in October, significantly higher than $271,000 five years ago [2] - Housing costs now account for over 33% of the annual budget for many Americans, exceeding the previously recommended 30% threshold [3] - High mortgage rates and home prices make it difficult for first-time homebuyers to enter the market [2] Energy Costs - Electricity bills are rising due to increased demand from data centers supporting AI development and seasonal shifts [5] - In Massachusetts, energy bills have increased by an average of 10% since 2018 [5] Healthcare Costs - Failure to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies could lead to a doubling or tripling of healthcare premiums for some families on January 1st [7][8] - Rising healthcare costs may exceed housing costs for some individuals, leading some families to forgo insurance [9][10] Food Costs - Overall food costs are approximately 18% higher than in January 2022, meaning a $100 grocery bill then would now cost $118 [10][11] - Prices for protein sources like beef and chicken have nearly doubled in the last two to three years [12] - Some prices have decreased, such as cocoa (down 43%) and sugar (down 30%), influenced by global markets and factors like GLP-1 medications [12] Economic Disparity - The economy is exhibiting a K-shaped recovery, with those invested in property and the stock market faring well, while others struggle [15][16] - The stock market is near record highs, and there is a record number of 401k millionaires, highlighting the benefits of asset ownership [16] Tariffs and Inflation - Tariffs may be contributing to higher prices in some areas, particularly produce [14] - Inflation is currently around 27%, with the Federal Reserve aiming for 2% [13] Consumer Spending - American consumers are projected to spend over $11 trillion during the holiday shopping season [14] - Many consumers began holiday shopping earlier than usual due to concerns about rising prices [15]