K-shaped economy ‘alive and well,’ expert says. What new research shows

The so-called K-shaped economy is becoming more pronounced, new data shows. In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, the K has been used to illustrate Americans’ diverging economic experiences: Higher-income households are increasingly better off, while lower-income households are falling further behind. A new report by credit reporting bureau TransUnion found that while credit conditions have improved…

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PCE inflation rate March 2026:

Gas prices are displayed at a station in Brooklyn on April 21, 2026 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images Consumers faced escalating prices in March as the Iran war sent oil soaring and created a new level of challenges for the Federal Reserve. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes…

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What that means for consumer loans

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at the conclusion of its policy meeting on Wednesday.  In what could be Jerome Powell’s last as chair before President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-confirmed nominee Kevin Warsh takes the helm, central bankers maintained the federal funds rate in a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%.  Inflation has surged since the war with Iran…

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Australia reports lower-than-expected first-quarter inflation — but price rise highest in 2 years

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 06: Pedestrians and shoppers move along George Street on December 06, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Lisa Maree Williams | Getty Images News | Getty Images Australia’s inflation rate soared to 4.09% in the first quarter, marking its highest level in more than two years. The first-quarter inflation figure was lower than the…

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How that impacts consumer costs

A shopper carries a Hollister bag at a shopping mall in Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2025. Kyle Grillot | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Federal Reserve is on the cusp of a “regime change” after the Department of Justice dropped its criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, eliminating a potential obstacle to confirming President Donald Trump’s nominee, Kevin Warsh,…

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Fed Governor Waller says Iran war and labor market risks are keeping central bank on hold

Christopher Waller, governor of the US Federal Reserve, speaks during the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, US, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Friday said current economic conditions are complicating the approach…

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