The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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New York NY, Wall Street is on fire — both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have soared to record highs, fueled by positive developments in U.S.-China trade talks, Federal Reserve rate cut speculation, and surging investor confidence in the tech sector.
Continue reading S&P 500 and Nasdaq Hit Record Highs Amid Trade Optimism, Fed Bets, and Tech Surge
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East Rutherford NJ, as many retailers brace for potential summer price hikes due to tariffs, Aldi is bucking the trend by slashing prices on more than 400 items across its 2,400+ U.S. stores with 64 in New Jersey including Wayne, Totowa, Lodi and East Rutherford . The deep discounts come just in time for the summer season, and Aldi says the move will save its shoppers an estimated $100 million.
Continue reading Aldi Cuts Prices on 400+ Items Nationwide, Promises $100M in Summer Savings
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WASHINGTON DC, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose a less than expected, 0.1% in May, following a 0.2% increase in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report signals a continued cooling of inflation, with annual consumer price growth now at 2.4%, just above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Continue reading May 2025 Inflation Update: Consumer Prices Rise Less Than Expected
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Washington DC, After a rocky start to 2025 driven by the effects of the Trump-era tariff tensions, the American economy is showing strong signs of resilience. According to the Atlanta Federal Reserve, the estimated GDP growth for the first two months of the second quarter now sits at a robust 4.6%.
Continue reading U.S. Economy Surges in Q2 Despite Early-Year Tariff Turmoil
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Ridgewood NJ, inflation in April stayed surprisingly steady, even as experts warned that new tariffs could drive prices higher. According to a report released Friday by the U.S. Commerce Department, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index — the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge — rose just 0.1% for the month.
Continue reading April Inflation Barely Moves Despite Tariff Warnings — Here’s What the Data Says
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Washington DC, the Federal Reserve announced yesterday that it will keep its benchmark interest rates unchanged, holding steady at a target range of 4.25% to 4.5% for the third consecutive meeting. The move comes amid mixed economic signals and ahead of critical U.S.-China trade talks set to begin later this week.
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Ridgewood NJ, as the U.S. economy grapples with market uncertainty and persistent inflation, questions are swirling about whether a future President Donald Trump could fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell before his term ends in 2026. Legally speaking, the answer remains murky—but the political and financial implications are massive.
file photo
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Chicago Il, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell issued a cautious economic outlook on Wednesday, stating that the central bank will “wait for greater clarity” before considering any changes to interest rates. His comments come amid rising concerns that President Trump’s tariffs may fuel both higher inflation and slower economic growth, creating a policy dilemma for the Fed.
Continue reading Fed Chair Jerome Powell: Tariffs Could Spark Higher Inflation, Slower Growth
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Washington DC, The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in March, after rising 0.2 percent in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.
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Ridgewood NJ, Despite the media’s alarmist headlines predicting economic turmoil, inflation spikes, and market downturns, the reality tells a different story. Contrary to popular belief, tariffs are delivering tangible economic benefits, and the numbers prove it.
Continue reading Tariffs Are Working: The Economic Shift Most Haven’t Noticed Yet
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Ridgewood NJ, the Federal Reserve has decided to maintain interest rates at 4.25%-4.5%, following a highly anticipated meeting. The decision comes as the economy faces ongoing trade tensions and financial uncertainty. However, the Fed reaffirmed its plan to cut rates twice this year, potentially lowering them to 3.75%-4.0% in the coming months.
Continue reading Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Economic Uncertainty
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Trenton NJ, New Jersey residents are set to face yet another 20% increase in their electric bills this summer, adding to the financial strain that many have been grappling with since last year. A leaked memo from New Jersey Democrats attempts to shift the blame everywhere—Republicans, utility companies, grid operators, the Board of Public Utilities, even Venezuela—except where it belongs: their own failed energy policies.
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Ridgewood NJ, consumer prices rose slightly during President Trump’s first full month in office, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the Labor Department.
Continue reading UPDATE: Inflation Trends: Why Real-Time Data May Tell a Different Story
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Washington DC, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, after rising 0.4 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.0 percent before seasonal adjustment.
Continue reading The Consumer Price Index Comes in Hot , Increasing 3% for the Past 12 Months
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New York NY, the Federal Reserve held its key interest rate in check Wednesday, reversing a recent trend of easing policy as it examines what is likely to be a bumpy political and economic landscape ahead.In a widely anticipated move, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee left unchanged its overnight borrowing rate in a range between 4.25%-4.5%.
Continue reading Fed Holds Rates Steady, Statement Suggests Less Confident View on Inflation