Author: Tatiana Bailey
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Tatiana Bailey: Producer Price Index shows more inflation ahead
The new U.S.-Iran peace agreement appears to reduce the immediate risk in the Strait of Hormuz, perhaps bringing some price relief to American households. Experts are cautiously optimistic, because Iran and the U.S. have said they will abide by the agreement. However, experts are also not convinced this is a permanent turning point. From a…
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Relentless inflation is putting households in tough spot | Tatiana Bailey
Last week’s inflation report showed that price pressures accelerated again in May, with the Consumer Price Index rising 0.5% for the month and 4.2% over the year — the highest inflation since April 2023. Energy was the primary driver, accounting for more than 60% of the monthly increase. Gasoline prices rose 7% in May alone,…
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Stability in numbers isn’t translating to households
As I mentioned in a previous article, one of the more important realities becoming increasingly evident this year is that economic growth and economic confidence are resoundingly not moving in the same direction. Some key macroeconomic data may suggest a degree of stability, but households appear increasingly uncertain and even despondent about future conditions. This…
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Wages, home prices add up to affordability issue
It seems like everyone today is talking about the affordability crunch and ever rising inflation. Even some of my wealthier friends are bitterly complaining about how much more expensive everything is. I think about lower earners and young individuals or families who are just starting out and trying to buy a house. Let’s look at…
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Job picture, inflation complicate Fed decision
The recently released March jobs report showed what appears to be a relatively normal month on the surface, with solid gains of 178,000 new jobs and unemployment edging down. The most recent unemployment data for El Paso County lags behind U.S. data and reflects January. Our local unemployment rate stands at 4.5%, slightly higher than…
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Informal caregiving in the U.S.
In previous articles, I’ve talked about caregiving for both children and the elderly, especially as it relates to the broader economy. For an upcoming panel on elder care, I’ve been digging in further, and I’d like to share some startling facts. Right now, about 7 in 10 Americans who reach age 65 will need some…
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Tatiana Bailey: Month-end economic overview looks shaky
In our recent month-end economic report, I state that the national economy continues to show signs of slower momentum. Gross domestic product, or GDP, growth for the fourth quarter of 2025 was revised down to 2% year over year, while annualized growth for the quarter came in at just 0.7%. This “annualized” figure takes the…
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Examining the importance of maritime trade
I have recently been looking into and been surprised by the importance of maritime transportation. Roughly 85% of global trade by volume moves via ships, making oceans the backbone of the global economy. People have been moving goods via ships for centuries and that has not changed. What has changed is the vulnerability of this…
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Tatiana Bailey: Are we in ‘stagflation?’
The economic term “stagflation” describes two forces that typically do not occur together: low economic growth rates alongside high inflation. I think we all know that after decades of low inflation with rates often below 2%, we now find ourselves with sticker shock when we buy groceries, when we pay home, car, or health insurance…
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What will be the impact of elevated gas prices?
The latest inflation release showed no change in February with the Consumer Price Index holding at 2.4%. That would be good news, except the February data does not reflect the significant disruption in supply resulting from the military conflict in the Middle East that commenced on the last day of February. In February’s data, electricity…