Every weekend, I recap \u201cnews you can use\u201d from the week \u2014 a handful of quotes from major (and often expensive) financial news sources \u2014 so you can stay up to date on the news that affects your money without spending a dime and in less than a minute.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s an overview of what happened this week.<\/p>\n
Wholesale Inflation Increased in January by More Than Forecast<\/a> (Feb 27, Barron\u2019s)<\/p>\n The producer price index for total final demand rose 0.5% in January, an acceleration from December\u2019s revised 0.4% monthly advance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday morning. That translated to an annual rate of 2.9%, which compared to the 3% rate logged at the end of 2025.<\/p>\n Core PPI\u2014which excludes prices for food, energy, and trade services\u2014 rose 0.3% month over month in January, pushing the annual increase to 3.4%, the bureau reported.<\/p>\n US Jobless Claims Edged Higher to 212,000 in Holiday Week<\/a> (Feb 26, Bloomberg)<\/p>\n Applications for US unemployment benefits rose by less than expected last week, indicating that layoffs remain relatively low.<\/p>\n Initial claims increased by 4,000 to 212,000 in the week ended Feb. 21, according to Labor Department data released Thursday. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for 216,000.<\/p>\n Tariffs, 401(k)s, Shouting: Key Takeaways From Trump\u2019s Speech<\/a> (Feb 25, Bloomberg)\u00a0<\/p>\n And in more than 1 hour 47 minutes, the longest State of the Union in history, the president delivered a rally-like speech punctuated less by policy proposals than by political attacks.<\/p>\n Trump announces 401(k) plans with $1,000 match for workers whose employers don\u2019t offer them<\/a> (Feb 25, MarketWatch)\u00a0<\/p>\n The White House plans to create retirement-savings plans for workers without employer access, offering up to $1,000 annually in matching funds.<\/p>\n Critics question the administration\u2019s authority to fund the new retirement accounts; other initiatives include \u201cTrump accounts\u201d and exploring Australia\u2019s system.<\/p>\n US Consumer Confidence Rises on Stronger Prospects for Jobs<\/a> (Feb 24, Bloomberg)\u00a0<\/p>\n The Conference Board\u2019s gauge increased to 91.2, from an upwardly revised 89 last month, data out Tuesday showed. The latest figure was above all but one estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists.<\/p>\n \u201cComments about prices, inflation, and the cost of goods remained at the top of consumers\u2019 minds,\u201d Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board, said in a statement. \u201cMentions of trade and politics also increased in February.\u201d<\/p>\n More than 80% say affordability has not improved under Trump, exclusive YouGov-MarketWatch poll finds<\/a> (Feb 24, MarketWatch)<\/p>\n The president campaigned on assurances that he would solve affordability challenges in 2024, and he can tout his record on these issues in Tuesday\u2019s State of the Union address. Yet, in a YouGov survey conducted this month exclusively for MarketWatch, nearly 47% of survey takers said affordability has worsened somewhat or a lot over the past year. Meanwhile, 36% said it has stayed about the same, and nearly 18% said affordability has improved.<\/p>\n Consumers said grocery prices, insurance, prescription drug prices, rent, and saving to buy a home were the top affordability challenges. Of those who selected insurance, car insurance was the most common concern, followed by health insurance and homeowners\u2019 or renters\u2019 insurance.<\/p>\n