Inflation pressures showed no signs of abating in the first quarter as U.S. labor costs rose by a higher-than-expected 1.2% according to data released on Tuesday. The sharp increase which exceeded the anticipated 1.0% marks the most substantial quarterly rise in a year and highlights the challenges faced by the Federal Reserve in its efforts to tame inflation.
Stocks & Bonds Slammed After Unionized & Govt Workers Send Employment Costs Soaring In Q1
…biggest QoQ jump in employment costs in a year, thanks to govt workers' wages soaring…https://t.co/DZL4bt3cFe
— FTMFW (@FTMFW77) April 30, 2024
The rise in labor costs was particularly pronounced within government and unionized sectors. Government employee compensation surged 4.8% year-over-year nearly reaching historical highs while unionized service workers saw record wage increases. The contrast between the wages of these workers and those in the private sector points to a concerning trend that suggests America’s productive capacity is already mired in recession.
Financial markets were quick to respond to the news with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting by 299 points a 0.8% decrease. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also experienced declines while the 10-year Treasury note yield rose to nearly 4.66% indicating investor anxiety about the Federal Reserve’s future actions.
As the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting concludes on Wednesday all eyes will be on Fed Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues for any signals on future interest rate changes.
Economist Paul Ashworth noted, “The persistence of wage growth is another reason for the Fed to take its time on rate cuts.” Further delays in rate reductions or even rumors of possible hikes due to persistent inflation would run counter to the narrative the Biden campaign hopes to push this summer.
