Inflation Data Summary - The August Consumer Price Index (CPI) report shows a month-over-month increase of 0.4%, which is slightly higher than estimates [1][4] - Year-over-year inflation stands at 2.9%, with the core inflation (excluding food and energy) at 3.1%, both figures aligning with economists' expectations [2][66] - The service sector is identified as a significant contributor to the inflation increase, with shelter costs also rising [9][10] Market Reactions - Despite the inflation data, market futures indicate a positive outlook, with expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week [3][5] - The S&P 500 and NASDAQ have reached record highs, reflecting investor confidence despite inflation concerns [4][68] - The Fed funds futures market is pricing in three rate cuts by December, indicating strong market expectations for monetary easing [53][68] Sector-Specific Insights - The food index increased by 0.5% in August, with food at home rising by 6%, highlighting persistent inflation in essential goods [60][61] - Airline fares saw a significant increase of 5.9%, contributing to the mixed picture of service sector inflation [63] - Apparel prices rose by 0.5%, suggesting tariff impacts on consumer goods [64][85] Employment and Economic Indicators - Initial jobless claims reached 263,000, the highest level in nearly four years, indicating potential weakness in the labor market [15][76] - The Fed is balancing its dual mandate of controlling inflation while addressing employment concerns, complicating its policy decisions [13][78] Long-term Economic Outlook - Analysts express caution regarding the sustainability of rate cuts in the face of persistent inflation, with expectations that long-term yields may not fall significantly [32][39] - The economic environment remains challenging for lower-income Americans, as inflation continues to impact essential goods disproportionately [22][26]

BREAKING: Core CPI Steady, Jobless Claims Highest Since Oct. 2021 Kroger Trying To Close In On Key Technical Measure 9/02/2025Kroger shows improving price performance, earning an upgrade to its IBD Relative Strength Rating 9/02/2025Kroger shows improving price performance, earning an upgrade to its... Kroger (KR) stock wavered Thursday after the supermarket chain gave a mixed quarterly earnings report and raised its outlook. Shares came off an important chart level and bounced around in morning trades. The ...

Financial Performance - Kroger's identical sales without fuel increased by 34% in Q2 2025[5] - E-commerce sales grew by 16% compared to last year[5,6] - GAAP operating profit was $863 million[5] - Adjusted FIFO operating profit reached $1091 million[5] - GAAP EPS was $091[5] - Adjusted EPS grew by 12%[5] Guidance - The company updated its FY25 identical sales without fuel guidance to 27%-34%[10] - Operating profit guidance is $48 billion - $49 billion[10] - EPS guidance is $470 - $480[10] - Free cash flow guidance remains at $28 billion - $30 billion[10]

Company Overview - Safeway, a subsidiary of Albertsons Companies, is planning to close 12 stores across the United States, primarily in Colorado, Nebraska, and New Mexico [1][2] - The company currently operates over 900 stores nationwide [1] Store Closures - Ten of the closures will occur in Colorado, with one store each in Nebraska and New Mexico [1] - The closures are attributed to store performance, indicating a strategic decision based on operational evaluations [2] Industry Trends - Retail store closures are part of a broader trend referred to as the "retail apocalypse," affecting various retailers including grocery chains [3][4] - Other grocery retailers, such as Kroger, are also reducing their brick-and-mortar presence, with Kroger announcing plans to close 60 stores by mid-2026 [4]

About this content About Sean Mason Sean Mason is a Senior Journalist at Proactive, having researched and written about Canadian and US equities for 20 years. Sean graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in history and economics and has also passed the Canadian Securities Course. He previously worked at Investors Digest of Canada, Stockhouse, and SmallCapPower.com. Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and action ...

US stocks rose on Thursday as the latest reading on inflation showed consumer prices ticked up in August and jobless claims rose to their highest level in nearly four years, helping set expectations for the pace of interest rate cuts this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) led stocks higher, rising over 1%, or around 500 points. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose over 0.6%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gained around 0.5%, on the heels of a muted but record-setting session on Wednesday. ...

Economic Indicators - The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August increased by 0.4% month-over-month, surpassing the expected 0.3% and up from July's 0.2% [2][3] - Year-over-year, the headline CPI was reported at 2.9%, meeting expectations and showing a slight increase from the previous 2.7% [2] - Core CPI, excluding food and energy, remained steady at 0.3% month-over-month and 3.1% year-over-year, consistent with forecasts [3] European Central Bank (ECB) Updates - The ECB decided to maintain its key interest rates, with the Deposit Facility Rate at 2.00%, the Main Refinancing Rate at 2.15%, and the Marginal Lending Facility at 2.40% [4] - The ECB raised its inflation outlook for 2025 and 2026 while slightly lowering it for 2027, indicating a more persistent inflationary environment [5] - The GDP growth forecast for the Eurozone in 2025 was revised upwards to 1.2% from 0.9%, while the 2026 forecast was trimmed to 1.0% from 1.1% [5] Company Performance - Kroger reported second-quarter 2025 earnings with adjusted EPS of $1.04, exceeding the estimated $1.00, despite slightly missing revenue expectations with sales of $33.98 billion [6][7] - Identical-store sales excluding fuel grew by 3.4%, significantly above the estimated 2.8% [7] - Kroger narrowed its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $4.70 to $4.80, raising the lower end of its forecast [7] Oil Market Insights - OPEC maintained its forecasts for global oil demand growth at 1.29 million barrels per day (bpd) for 2025 and 1.38 million bpd for 2026 [10] - Crude output averaged 42.40 million bpd in August, an increase of 509,000 bpd from July, following an OPEC+ production hike [11]

US stocks rose on Thursday as the latest reading on inflation showed consumer prices ticked up in August, helping set expectations for the pace of interest rate cuts this year. Meanwhile, more data showed fresh signs of weakness in the labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) and the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose over 0.3%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) all gained around 0.4%, on the heels of a muted but record-setting session on Wednesday. Thursday's Consumer Price Index (CPI) repor ...

Kroger raised its full-year sales forecast, illustrating that the grocer is attracting value-seeking consumers who are opting to eat at home https://t.co/jVO3TOarEz ...

U.S. grocer Kroger raised its annual core sales forecast on Thursday, banking on resilient demand for its lower-priced products amid growing concerns over tariff-related pressure on consumer demand. ...