Trending Now - Market Watch: Fed Decisions and Earnings Reports Shape Outlook
WHO:
Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, stated, “I have no intention of leaving the board until the investigation is well and truly over, with transparency and finality.”
Greg Peters, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Public and Private Fixed Income at PGIM, commented on market reactions.
Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve
President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin
WHAT:
The producer price index (PPI) inflation rate for February 2026 reached 3.4 percent year-over-year, marking the biggest jump in years.
The month-over-month PPI was reported at 0.7 percent, up from initial estimates of 0.5 percent.
The Federal Reserve reported zero net job creation in the private sector.
The unemployment rate is currently at 4.4%.
The economy shed 92,000 jobs in February 2026.
Job gains in December 2025 and January 2026 were revised lower by 69,000.
Powell stated, "Effectively, there's zero net job creation in the private sector."
Oil prices rose 3.2% to over $103 per barrel.
Average diesel prices surpassed $5 for the first time since December 2022, with a 34% increase since the start of the Iran war.
Average gas prices increased by 27% according to AAA.
WHERE:
Washington, D.C. (Federal Reserve press conference)
White House, Washington, D.C. (meeting with Irish Taoiseach)
WHEN:
The PPI report was discussed on March 18th, 2026.
The Federal Reserve's latest economic projections were released on March 18th, 2026.
The press conference where Powell spoke occurred on March 18th, 2026.
The meeting with President Trump and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin took place on March 17th, 2026.
WHY:
The increase in PPI was described as “much hotter than expected” by Fox News reporter Sheryl Casone.
Powell indicated concerns about the low level of job creation due to "very, very low — nonexistent, really — growth in the labor force."
The increase in oil prices is attributed to the ongoing Iran war and its impact on global markets.
HOW:
Stock market statistics following the PPI report were all negative, indicating a potential downward trend in the markets.
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady during its latest meeting.
Powell plans to remain at the Federal Reserve until the completion of a Justice Department investigation into him and the central bank.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 03:49 UTC)
In a significant development, Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, affirmed his commitment to remain on the board until the ongoing investigation concludes with transparency and finality. The producer price index for February 2026 showed a year-over-year inflation rate of 3.4 percent, the largest increase in years, with a month-over-month rise of 0.7 percent, surpassing initial estimates. Following the report, stock market reactions were negative, suggesting a potential downward trend as noted by market analysts.
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(UPDATED March 19, 2026 01:25 UTC)
In a press conference held on March 18, Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve, reported zero net job creation in the private sector, with the unemployment rate currently at 4.4% and the economy shedding 92,000 jobs in February. Meanwhile, oil prices surged by 3.2% to over $103 per barrel, with average diesel prices surpassing $5 for the first time since December 2022, largely due to the ongoing Iran war. President Trump met with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the White House on March 17, as Powell expressed concerns about the lack of growth in the labor force and announced that interest rates would remain steady.