The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, showed a slight deceleration in November 2024. The core PCE, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.1% month-over-month, lower than October’s 0.3% increase and below economists’ expectations of 0.2%. On an annual basis, core PCE remained steady at 2.8%, while overall PCE increased to 2.4% from 2.3% in October, both figures coming in below forecasts. This data suggests progress in the Fed’s battle against inflation, though price increases remain above the central bank’s 2% target.

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Americans Are Struggling and Markets Are Noticing
After weeks of data blackout, the picture isn’t pretty. Jobless claims show a cooling labor market while consumer sentiment crashes to near-record lows. Credit card delinquencies just hit 15-year highs with Americans carrying $1.2 trillion in debt. The S&P 500 faces its longest losing streak since August. Meanwhile, wealthy investors are leasing out gold bars for yield. Today’s Nuggets explore the cracks in the consumer economy and how smart money is responding.




