The Federal Reserve continued its rate-cutting campaign Wednesday, Dec. 18, marking the third cut of 2024. The central bank shaved off another 25 basis points from its benchmark rate, in line with expectations. The latest decision sets the benchmark interest rate between 4.25% and 4.5%, down from 4.5% and 4.75%. The rate sat above 5% for more than a year between 2023 and 2024 while the Fed attempted to get a hold of rampant inflation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath. The central...

Consumer price inflation rose slightly in November 2024 at 2.7% annually, compared with 2.6% in October 2024. Monthly prices rose 0.3% from October, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Core inflation, which removes more volatile food and energy prices, rose 3.3% annually and 0.3% compared with October. Both headline and core inflation came in line with expectations, according to FactSet. However, the rate of inflation has ticked up...