The consumer-price index rose 4% in May from a year earlier, well below the recent peak of 9.1% last June and down from April’s 4.9% increase.

A rate hiking pause, and even a halt, just got more likely.

Inflation dropped in May, reaching nearly half of its peak last Summer. And while the decrease could cause the Fed to pause its rate hikes in June, the rate hikes could continue this year.

With signs that inflation may be cooling it is imperative for Americans to make the right financial moves now.

Average wages grew faster in May than prices. It could be the start of some economic momentum for workers who have struggled to keep up.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits surged to the highest level in more than 1-1/2 years last week, but layoffs are probably not accelerating as the data covered the Memorial Day holiday,

Applications for unemployment benefits last week climbed to the highest level since October 2021, the latest evidence the labor market is slowing down.