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February 20th - US core PCE inflation rose more than expected in December, and various signs indicate that inflation will accelerate further in January, reinforcing market expectations that the Federal Reserve will not cut interest rates before June. Data released Friday by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that, excluding volatile food and energy prices, the core PCE index rose 0.4% month-over-month in December, compared to economists forecasts of a 0.3% increase. The core PCE inflation rate rose 3.0% year-over-year, compared to 2.8% in November. Core PCE is one of the Federal Reserves most favored indicators. This data is included in the fourth-quarter GDP forecast report released Friday. Although the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index report released last week showed a moderate increase in Januarys CPI, inflation in the service sector still exhibits some lag. Economists also noted a surge in legal services prices in January.February 20th - U.S. economic growth lagged behind expectations at the end of last year, dragged down by a record government shutdown, weak consumer spending, and trade. According to preliminary estimates released by the U.S. government on Friday, the annualized growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter, adjusted for inflation, was 1.4%, down from 4.4% in the previous quarter. Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the overall economy grew by 2.2% last year. The weak economic performance fell short of all expectations in a Bloomberg survey of economists, as the U.S. government was shut down for nearly half of the three-month period during the quarter. The Bureau of Economic Analysis stated that the government shutdown reduced GDP by about one percentage point. Despite the slowdown at the end of the year, these figures still marked a solid year for the U.S. economy. The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter due to a surge in imports before tariffs took effect, but subsequently achieved one of its strongest growth rates in years. This turnaround was thanks to Trumps abandonment of the toughest tariffs and the Federal Reserves interest rate cuts, which propelled the stock market to record highs and enabled wealthy Americans to continue spending.February 20th - The U.S. economy slowed in the fourth quarter of last year, impacted by the record government shutdown and slowing consumer spending. Data released Friday by the Commerce Department showed that, after seasonal and inflation adjustments, the annualized growth rate of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter was 1.4%. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had expected a figure of 2.5%. The fourth-quarter growth rate was a significant slowdown from the astonishing 4.4% growth rate seen in the summer. Federal government spending fell by 16.6% in the fourth quarter.German Finance Minister Klingbeer on ECB President Lagardes term: This is just speculation, and I will not participate in speculation.Following the release of the latest economic data, U.S. short-term interest rate futures showed little change; traders continue to bet that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in June.

According to Australian Retailer Woolworths, Inflation Is Driving Home Dining

Haiden Holmes

Feb 22, 2023 14:10

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Woolworths Group Ltd, a leading Australian retailer, said that an inflation-driven move away from dining out aided in boosting sales, driving its shares higher after its half-year earnings above expectations despite cost challenges.


Since COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 prompted supermarket hoarding, Woolworths and its smaller competitor Coles Group (OTC:CLEGF) Ltd have witnessed significant fluctuations in Australian customer behavior. As lockdowns were lifted in 2021, and again in 2022, sales slowed as rising energy and labor costs pushed up shelf prices.


Woolworths said on Wednesday that cost-of-living constraints, including skyrocketing electricity prices and nine interest rate rises since May, are now beginning to benefit stores as consumers choose for in-home consumption.


Since the beginning of 2023, food sales have increased 6.5%, roughly in step with inflation, compared to just 2.4% in the six months leading up to the end of December, the business reported.


"The shift from eating in restaurants to eating at home has become more evident," said Chief Executive Brad Banducci to reporters.


He stated that a growing number of clients from all demographic groups are now preparing meals at home since eating out is becoming more expensive.


The company's net profit before significant items increased 14% to A$907 million ($622 million), above the Visible Alpha consensus estimate of A$877 million. The majority of the increase was attributable to employee back pay linked to a prior salaries miscalculation.


Similar to Tuesday's announcement of Coles' interim results, Woolworths' profit increase was aided by a dramatic drop in COVID-19-related expenditures.


At midday, Woolworths shares were up 2%, compared to a 0.3% decline in the overall index, as analysts hailed the potential of profit margin expansion at a business vulnerable to rising supplier prices.


Phillip Kimber, a retail analyst at E&P Financial, wrote in a client note, "The momentum in the core Australian Food industry remains strong, with sales growth rates above expectations in early 2H23."


Woolworths declared an interim dividend of 46 Australian cents per share, up from 39 Australian cents per share the previous year.

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