WSJ Economy

Annual inflation fell to 0.5% in June, the first decline since higher energy prices prompted prices to accelerate after the start of the war in Iran.

The unemployment rate reached a record low in April and May, underscoring continued resilience despite elevated economic disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East.

Plus, General Mills rallies and Warsh stays cryptic.

The Fed chairman declined to say how the Fed will approach an upcoming debate over whether to raise rates, calling the coming meeting a “good family fight.”

The Senate Banking Committee’s top Democrat wants the Fed’s inspector general to examine whether a top Fed regulator broke protocol by participating in the closed-door client event.

The Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing managers’ index was 53.3 last month, 0.7 percentage point lower than in May.

Private companies added a net 98,000 jobs in June after adding 122,000 jobs in May, human-resources company ADP said.

Inflation fell to 2.8% in June, increasing the likelihood that the European Central Bank will hold rates steady later this month.

AI was cited as the top layoff reason for the fourth month in a row, according to a global outplacement firm.

A private gauge showed China’s manufacturing activity grew at a slower pace in June due to tapered factory production, diverging from a pickup shown in a competing index.

The global artificial-intelligence buildout continues to fuel demand for chips.

Plus, a quiet Fed only makes investors listen harder.

Record-high beef prices will continue to wallop U.S. consumers this summer as drought conditions and the resurgence of an invasive pest are the latest obstacles to increasing cattle herds.

Canada’s economy emerged from a rough winter on firmer footing, springing back to growth with a slight rise in activity last month on the heels of the strongest growth in nine months in April.

Available positions held steady at 7.6 million, and the hiring rate remained at 3.3% with about 5.2 million Americans landing new jobs.

The research group said its consumer confidence index rose to 91.2 in June from a downwardly revised 90.6 in May. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected a higher reading of 94.2.

The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller National Home Price Index rose 0.8% in the 12 months through April, but affordability pressures still weighed on home buyer decisions.

Ayano Sato pledged to carefully watch the impact of a weak yen on prices, though she didn’t give any clear hints on her monetary policy stance.

French inflation eased more than expected in June, suggesting price pressures are beginning to soften amid falling energy costs.

The result suggests price pressures remain more persistent than economists had anticipated.