It has been a big week for Economics News! Both the PPI and CPI were released this week, and over the weekend we learned that the Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to a woman for only the third time in its 55-year history. This week’s list also includes a variety of articles covering investing, labor strikes, paying for college, and the latest COLA increase for Social Security recipients. Happy reading!

Economics

• The Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Claudia Goldin, a Harvard Professor whose career as a labor economist produced groundbreaking research on the role of women in the workforce. (CNN) If you would like to learn more about Claudia Goldin, check out this EconExtra published this week.
• Speaking of women in the workforce, this Bloomberg Opinion piece by Claudia Sahm discusses how higher labor force participation from women leads to higher economic growth, but available and affordable day care are critical.
• The latest CPI data came in a little hotter overall, led by the cost of housing, but Core CPI came in exactly as expected. Not great news but not awful. (CNBC)
• Follow the latest stock market reaction to the CPI can be tracked on Yahoo Finance.
• Wholesale prices rose more than expected in September (.5% m/m and 2.2% y/y versus .3% and 1.6%) due largely to the increase in energy prices. (CNN)
• This Bloomberg opinion video does a good job of explaining the significance of the deficit/debt. The title suggests the US is in a worse position that the one presented, but some of the commentary brings up the cost of carrying the debt as a concern. (Bloomberg/YouTube)

Investing

• Ben Carlson explains why interest rates are spiking, even though inflation seems to be softening. He presents interesting data showing that over time, higher interest rates are consistent with higher growth as well as inflation, and that long-term yields aren’t predictors of long-run inflation. (A Wealth of Common Sense)
• Rising interest rates are definitely hitting the real estate market hard. Real estate groups ask the Fed to stop hiking rates. (Yahoo Finance)
• Oops! Seems like the Birkenstock IPO seemed to be more of a “flop” than a “flip.” (Reuters) Did you know that the company was much older than the stock market?

Labor Market

• Who will be next to go on strike? Walgreens pharmacists. (CNN)
• UAW strike broadens its strike, adding 9000 workers to striking ranks. (Reuters)

Consumer

• Retailers are clamoring to get your early holiday business with earlier but limited-time sales. (Reuters)
• There is evidence that cash rich boomers are keeping consumer spending strong. (WSJ-subscription may be required)

Paying for College

• The New York Times answers readers’ questions about applying and paying for college in this interactive article.
• ICYMI (I did!) Great news for those of you with 529 plans, and if you’ve been on the fence, it may be time to get off of it. After 15 years, up to $35,000 can be converted to a Roth IRA. (CNBC)
• Speaking of college, ACT scores dropped for the sixth year in a row to the lowest levels in 32 years. (Axios)

Retirement

• Social Security payments to increase 3.2% next year. (AP)

About the Author

Beth Tallman

Beth Tallman entered the working world armed with an MBA in finance and thoroughly enjoyed her first career working in manufacturing and telecommunications, including a stint overseas. She took advantage of an involuntary separation to try teaching high school math, something she had always dreamed of doing. When fate stepped in once again, Beth jumped on the opportunity to combine her passion for numbers, money, and education to develop curriculum and teach personal finance at Oberlin College. Beth now spends her time writing on personal finance and financial education, conducts student workshops, and develops finance curricula and educational content. She is also the Treasurer of Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.

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