Trending Now - Inflation Remains Stubborn as Consumer Spending Slows

WHO:

CNN - The Federal Reserve is monitoring inflation rates.

Bloomberg - Michael McKee reported on consumer spending and inflation data.

ABC News - The report discusses the impact of the Iran war on inflation.

WHAT:

ABC News - Economists forecast that inflation will rise to 3.4% in March 2026 compared to a year earlier, a sharp increase from February 2026's 2.4% increase.

ABC News - Prices are expected to have risen 0.9% in March 2026 from February 2026, marking the largest monthly increase since 2022.

ABC News - Gas prices soared about 20% in March 2026, averaging $4.17 a gallon nationwide, up 69 cents from a month ago.

ABC News - Core prices are projected to have risen 2.7% in March 2026 from a year earlier, up from 2.5% in February 2026.

ABC News - From February to March 2026, core prices are expected to have risen 0.3%, a faster pace than is consistent with the Fed's target.

Bloomberg - US consumer sentiment fell in recent weeks to a record low, indicating Americans' increasing worries about mounting inflation due to the Iran war.

ABC News - Economists forecast that inflation will rise to 3.4% in March 2026 compared to a year earlier, a sharp increase from February 2026's 2.4% increase.

ABC News - Prices are expected to have risen 0.9% in March 2026 from February 2026, marking the largest monthly increase since 2022.

ABC News - Gas prices soared about 20% in March 2026, averaging $4.17 a gallon nationwide, up 69 cents from a month ago.

ABC News - Economists forecast that the consumer price index for March 2026 will show a 0.9% increase from February 2026 and a 3.4% gain from a year earlier.

CNN - The expected increase in inflation for March 2026 would bring the annual rate back to a level not seen in nearly two years.

CNN - Pantheon Macroeconomics is predicting a 23% rise in gas prices for March 2026, which would be the highest monthly increase on record for the index.

CNN - Rising fertilizer prices and higher transportation costs are expected to impact grocery store prices, compounding existing increases.

CNN - Consumer spending rose 0.5% in February 2026, up from a 0.3% increase in January 2026.

CNN - The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index climbed 0.4% from January 2026, maintaining an annual rate of 2.8%.

CNN - The core PCE price index also rose 0.4%, bringing the annual rate to 3%.

Bloomberg - The core personal consumption expenditures price index increased 0.4% from January 2026 and 3% from February 2025.

ABC News - A key measure of inflation rose 0.4% in February 2026 from January 2026, with prices up 2.8% compared to January 2026.

ABC News - The annual figure for core inflation is slightly below January 2026's reading of 3.1%.

WHERE:

ABC News - The report is based on data from the United States.

WHEN:

CNN - The report was released on Thursday, April 7th, 2026.

Bloomberg - The inflation-adjusted gross domestic product increased at a 0.5% annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2025.

ABC News - The report discusses inflation data for February 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - The spike in gas prices is expected to sap consumers' ability to spend on other goods and services, potentially slowing economic growth.

ABC News - The anticipated inflation increase is attributed to the spike in gas prices resulting from the Iran war.

CNN - The rise in consumer spending occurred despite elevated inflation and is expected to be influenced by the Iran war, which is anticipated to push costs higher.

ABC News - The increase in inflation is attributed to the spike in gas prices due to the Iran war.

HOW:

ABC News - The Federal Reserve is now considering hiking rates instead of cutting them if core inflation does not show signs of cooling.

CNN - The CPI data on airfares for March 2026 will reflect bookings made during the month, not necessarily the flights taken.

CNN - The data was released by the Commerce Department after a shutdown-delayed report.

ABC News - The report indicates that the monthly increases in inflation, if continued for a year, would exceed the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target.

(UPDATED April 10, 2026 15:20 UTC)

Economists are forecasting that inflation will rise to 3.4% in March 20th26 compared to a year earlier, a significant jump from February's 2.4%. Prices are expected to have increased by 0.9% from February to March, marking the largest monthly rise since 2022, with gas prices averaging $4.17 a gallon nationwide after a 20% surge. Additionally, US consumer sentiment has dropped to a record low, reflecting growing concerns among Americans about rising inflation linked to the ongoing Iran war.

(UPDATED April 10, 2026 05:40 UTC)

Economists are forecasting that inflation will rise to 3.4% in March 20th26, a significant jump from February's 2.4%. Prices are expected to have increased by 0.9% in March, marking the largest monthly rise since 2022, largely driven by a 20% surge in gas prices, which now average $4.17 a gallon nationwide. In response to these trends, the Federal Reserve is contemplating raising interest rates if core inflation does not begin to cool down.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 21:12 UTC)

Economists are forecasting that the consumer price index for March 20th26 will show a 0.9% increase from February and a 3.4% gain from a year earlier, bringing the annual rate of inflation back to a level not seen in nearly two years. Pantheon Macroeconomics predicts a staggering 23% rise in gas prices for March, marking the highest monthly increase on record, which, along with rising fertilizer and transportation costs, is expected to drive grocery store prices even higher. The upcoming CPI data on airfares will reflect bookings made during March, rather than the flights actually taken.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 15:22 UTC)

The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring inflation rates as new data reveals that consumer spending rose by half a percent in February, up from a three-tenths percent increase in January. The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index climbed 0.4% from January, maintaining an annual rate of 2.8%, while core inflation also increased by 0.4%, bringing its annual rate to 3%. This rise in consumer spending and inflation is attributed to factors including elevated gas prices linked to the ongoing Iran war, which is expected to further push costs higher.