Personal income increased $65.3 billion (0.3 percent at a monthly rate) in April, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (tables 2 and 3). Disposable personal income (DPI) —personal income less personal current taxes—increased $40.2 billion (0.2 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $39.1 billion (0.2 percent). The PCE price index increased 0.3 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.2 percent (table 5). Real DPI decreased 0.1 percent in April and real PCE decreased 0.1 percent; goods decreased 0.4 percent and services increased ... (full story)

Inflation remained sticky in April, as a closely watched measure of price changes was unchanged from the month before, providing yet another reminder of stubborn price pressures. The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — a closely watched inflation gauge that the Federal Reserve uses for its 2% target — rose 0.3% from the month before, resulting in an annual rate of 2.7% that matched March’s gain, according to Commerce Department data. Although Friday’s report served as yet another reminder that slowing down inflation is a bumpy process, the results weren’t a surprise. Economists, by and large, weren’t ... (full story)