WASHINGTON (AP) — Pay and benefits for America’s workers grew more quickly in the first three months of this year, a trend that could contribute to higher inflation and raise concerns about the future path of price increases at the Federal Reserve. Compensation as measured by the government’s Employment Cost Index rose 1.2% in the January-March quarter, up from a 0.9% increase in the previous quarter, the Labor Department said Tuesday. Compared with the same quarter a year earlier, compensation growth was 4.2%, the same as the previous quarter. The increase in wages and benefits is good for employees, to be sure, but could add to concerns at the Fed that inflation may remain too high in the coming months. The Fed is expected to keep its key short-term rate unchanged after its latest policy meeting concludes Wednesday. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other officials have recently backed away from signaling that the Fed will necessarily cut rates this year, after several months of higher-than-expected inflation readings. Big price increases for rents, car insurance and health care have kept inflation stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. |
Dutch soccer club Vitesse docked points and relegated during probe of Russian ties to AbramovichCensors block blogger after caller asks 'Is Xi Jinping a dictator?' — Radio Free AsiaBNSF Railway says it didn't know about asbestos that's killed hundreds in Montana townShe means business! Rita Ora steps out in chic tailored threeWatch Ryan Garcia get into an XGoogle is combining its Android software and Pixel hardware divisions to more broadly integrate AINWSL champion Gotham FC sign German goalkeeper AnnIris Law puts on a very leggy display as she steps out wearing tiny grey shorts in West HollywoodAshanti and Nelly's relationship timeline: A look at the couple's onArizona State hit with NCAA sanctions for improper football recruiting visits during pandemic