Economy Week Ahead: the Fed, Inflation, Consumers

The consumer-price index in the United States is forecast to rise above 7% for the first time since 1982, highlighting the widespread inflation pressures affecting the economy during the pandemic. The Federal Reserve appears poised to raise interest rates as soon as March amid increasing concern over tight labor markets and rising inflation. U.S. retail sales rose only modestly in November as consumers adjusted to supply shortages and increasing inflation