Building Materials Prices Remain Stable but Diesel Skyrockets 40% in August

According to the latest Producer Price Index report, the price level of inputs to residential construction less energy (i.e., building materials) ticked up 0.1% in August (not seasonally adjusted).  Prices have also increased 0.2% over the past 12 months as year-over-year price growth has slowed from 4.9% in January 2023 and 14.7% in August 2022. The…

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Consumer Debt Growth Slows as Inflation Cools and Lending Standards Tighten

Consumer credit outstanding growth slowed to 4.0% in the second quarter 2023 (SAAR) according to the Federal Reserve’s latest G.19 Consumer Credit report, as revolving and nonrevolving debt grew at 7.1% and 3.0%, respectively. Revolving credit growth has decelerated as of late, a result of both cooling inflation and increasingly tight lending standards. Total consumer credit…

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