Dollar, oil speculators feed G8 inflation fears - Fri Jun 13 By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Francesca Landini OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - The weak U.S. dollar and oil speculators took centre stage as Group of Eight finance ministers gathered in Japan on Friday to grapple with surging inflation and a slowing global economy. As soaring energy costs stirred protests from Malaysia to Spain, the world's most powerful governments talked up a link between a dollar slide and a doubling of oil prices in 12 months.
Treasurys fall as inflation pushes Fed hike odds up Two-year yields rise the most since 1995 By Deborah Levine, MarketWatch - Last update: 4:06 p.m. EDT June 9, 2008 NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Treasury prices declined Monday, pushing two-year note yields up the most in two decades, amid further concern that accelerating inflation will pressure central bankers to raise interest rates.
US Consumer sentiment sinks as inflation worries mount By Rex Nutting - Last update: 10:07 a.m. EDT May 30, 2008 WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. consumer sentiment dropped in May to the lowest level in 28 years as worries about inflation grew, according to the University of Michigan/Reuters consumer sentiment index released Friday. The UMich index fell to 59.8 in May from 62.6 in April, the lowest since June 1980. The preliminary May index was reported at 59.5 two weeks ago. Inflation expectations rose to their highest level in more than two decades, following steady increases in gasoline prices. The consumer expectation index fell to 51.1 in May from 53.3 in April, the lowest since October 1990.
Fed lowers growth forecast, raises inflation By Mark Felsenthal and Glenn Somerville Wed May 21, 6:07 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Wednesday slashed its U.S. economic growth forecast for 2008 and signaled that mounting concerns over inflation would make further interest rate cuts unlikely. "Several members noted that it was unlikely to be appropriate to ease policy in response to information suggesting that the economy was slowing further or even contracting slightly in the near term," the Fed said in minutes from its April 29-30 policy meeting.
European inflation surges
AP - China's April inflation rises to 8.5 percent Monday May 12, 2:29 am ET - By Joe Mcdonald, AP Business Writer China's inflation rebounds to 8.5 percent despite efforts to cool price increases BEIJING (AP) -- China's inflation rebounded in April to near decade-high levels, adding to pressure on Beijing to cool rapid price rises and avert possible unrest ahead of the Summer Olympics, according to official data reported Monday.
China's inflation rate hits 11-year high Year-over-year growth rate's 8.7% for February; food costs cited By Chris Oliver, MarketWatch Last update: 6:26 a.m. EDT March 11, 2008 HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- China's consumer prices rose at the fastest pace in nearly 12 years in February as prices for food surged, raising the likelihood of higher interest rates. Consumer prices climbed 8.7% from February 2007, accelerating from a 7.1% growth rate seen in January, the Statistics Bureau said Tuesday. The figures were the highest for the inflation index since May 1996. Consensus estimates were for a 7.9% increase. Severe winter storms interrupted distribution of goods and caused bottlenecks, exacerbating the pressure on prices, analysts said. Inflation is expected to moderate somewhat in the next few months but remain well above the government's 4.8% target.
