The Consumer Price Index is the traditional measure of inflation, but lately the Federal Reserve has paid closer attention to the core personal consumption expenditures price index, and that index showed inflation was hotter than expected in February.
The index rose 0.4%, the biggest monthly gain since January 2024, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 2.8%. Wall Street economists were expecting a slightly lower rise.
On the positive side, Americans saw an increase in personal income during February, according to the data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal income rose by $194.7 billion, representing a 0.8% monthly increase. This surge was primarily fueled by increased government social benefits and robust compensation growth.
Disposable personal income, which factors in personal current taxes, also saw a substantial rise, climbing by $191.6 billion, or 0.9%. Meanwhile, personal consumption expenditures, a key indicator of consumer spending, increased by $87.8 billion, or 0.4%.
On the inflation front, the PCE price index for February showed a 2.5% increase compared to the same month last year. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index rose by 2.8% year-over-year.
As shown in the chart below, insurance, healthcare and cars and car parts were big sources of spending in February.
Government social benefits to Americans saw a notable uptick, driven largely by premium tax credits for health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace. At the same time, other current transfer receipts were bolstered by business payments to consumers, which included settlements from a domestic medical device manufacturer and a social media company.
Compensation also played a crucial role in the income growth. Private wages and salaries, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics experienced significant gains. Wages and salaries in services-producing industries increased by $35.7 billion, while those in goods-producing industries rose by $12.7 billion.
Because the Fed follows the PCE so closely in making policy, the latest report might reinforce the Feds current position to be in no hurry to reduce interest rates.
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Bayer has outlined a new proposal aimed at resolving thousands of remaining Roundup cancer claims in U.S. courts.
The plan seeks to limit future liability while providing compensation to current claimants through a structured settlement framework.
Plaintiffs attorneys and consumer advocates say key legal and scientific questions remain unresolved.
Bayer is advancing a renewed effort to contain its long-running legal battle over allegations that its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, unveiling a proposal designed to settle a substantial portion of outstanding claims while establishing limits for future litigation.
The German pharmaceutical and agricultural giant has been grappling with lawsuits tied to glyphosate, Roundups active ingredient, since acquiring Monsanto in 2018 the company that owned Roundup.
Tens of thousands of plaintiffs have alleged that exposure to the herbicide led to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Bayer has consistently denied that glyphosate is carcinogenic, citing regulatory assessments in the United States and abroad that found the chemical safe when used as directed.
Structured resolution process
Under the latest proposal, Bayer aims to create a structured resolution process for pending cases that have not yet gone to trial or been settled individually. According to company statements, the framework would provide compensation tiers based on medical history, duration of exposure and other risk factors.
The company is also seeking judicial approval for mechanisms that would help manage or limit future claims, potentially through class-based agreements or scientific review panels. It has proposed paying a settlement of $7.25 billion.
Bayer has already paid billions of dollars to resolve earlier waves of litigation, but thousands of cases remain active in state and federal courts. Several high-profile jury verdicts in recent years have awarded substantial damages to plaintiffs, though some awards were later reduced on appeal.
A balancing act
Legal analysts say the companys strategy reflects a balancing act: resolving uncertainty for investors while avoiding admission of liability or setting precedents that could invite additional claims.
Plaintiffs lawyers have expressed cautious skepticism. Some argue that any broad settlement must ensure adequate compensation for individuals with severe diagnoses and allow room for emerging scientific evidence. Others have raised concerns about proposals that could limit access to jury trials for future claimants.
Consumer advocates note that the litigation has unfolded amid ongoing scientific debate. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has maintained that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a cancer risk to humans when used properly, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the chemical in 2015 as probably carcinogenic to humans, a determination that helped fuel the wave of lawsuits.
The nations average price of gasoline has risen 2.6 cents over the last week and stands at $2.84 per gallon, according to GasBuddydata compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
The national average is up 4.9 cents from a month ago and is 24.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
The national average price of diesel rose 1.0 cents in the last week and stands at $3.624 per gallon.
Gasoline prices are beginning to rise again as seasonal factors and refinery maintenance begin to influence the market, but prices are still lower than they were 12 months ago. Industry analysts say broader oil market dynamics remain relatively stable.
The national average price of gasoline continues to grind higher, and while the pace of increases remains modest for now, upward momentum could accelerate in the coming weeks as refinery maintenance intensifies and the broader transition to summer gasoline begins, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in this weeks GasBuddy blog.
However, supply-side dynamics could temper that seasonal pressure. If OPEC+ proceeds with resuming production increases following its first-quarter pause, additional barrels could cap crude oils upside and limit the magnitude of the spring rally at the pump. That said, geopolitical tensionsparticularly between the U.S. and Iranremain an unpredictable variable, injecting risk into the outlook and leaving prices vulnerable to sudden shifts.
Oil markets await clarity
DeHaan says crude oil prices were largely range-bound over the past week as traders monitored nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran. Early Monday trading showed West Texas Intermediate crude up 9 cents at $62.98 per barrel, slightly below last Mondays $63.58 opening. Brent crude also rose 9 cents to $67.84 per barrel, down from $68.07 a week earlier.
Oil prices have found support from relatively modest inventory builds so far this year. At the same time, expectations of rising output from OPEC+ and non-OPEC producers are limiting further gains.
According to the Energy Information Administrations Weekly Petroleum Status Report for the week ending February 6, 2026, U.S. crude oil inventories rose by 8.5 million barrels and sit about 3% below the seasonal average. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve remained unchanged at 415.2 million barrels.
Plenty of supply
Gasoline inventories increased by 1.2 million barrels and are about 4% above the five-year seasonal average. Distillate inventories, which include diesel, fell by 2.7 million barrels and are roughly 4% below the five-year average.
Refinery utilization slipped 1.0 percentage point to 89.4%, while implied gasoline demand a proxy for retail consumption rose by 147,000 barrels per day to 8.3 million barrels per day. The decline in refinery runs, combined with the seasonal shift toward summer-blend gasoline, could add upward pressure to pump prices in the weeks ahead.
What drivers are paying
The most common price motorists encountered last week was $2.79 per gallon, up 20 cents from the prior week. Other frequently reported prices included $2.89, $2.69, $2.59 and $2.99 per gallon.
The median U.S. gas price stands at $2.77 per gallon, about 10 cents lower than the national average. Prices vary widely: the top 10% of stations average $4.25 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $2.28.
Oklahoma has the nations lowest statewide average at $2.25 per gallon, followed by Arkansas and Louisiana at $2.43. California continues to post the highest average at $4.50 per gallon, with Hawaii at $4.33 and Washington at $4.07.
Among weekly movers, Michigan saw the largest jump, with prices rising 12.1 cents. Oregon was up 10.1 cents. Meanwhile, Iowa (-9.3 cents), Utah (-8.5 cents) and New Mexico (-8.1 cents) posted the biggest declines.
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Buffalo Wild Wings falsely advertised its boneless wings.
The court ruled that reasonable consumers understand boneless wings to be a style of preparation, not a literal claim about deboned chicken wings.
The decision reinforces prior rulings that common food terms are judged by everyday understanding, not strict literal interpretation.
A federal judge has dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Buffalo Wild Wings of false advertising over its popular boneless wings, ruling that the menu items name would not mislead a reasonable consumer.
In a decision issued this week, U.S. District Judge John Tharp concluded that the term boneless wings describes a cooking style rather than a guarantee that the product is derived from a deboned chicken wing. The plaintiff had argued that the menu item made from breaded, sauced chunks of chicken breast meat was misleading because it does not consist of actual chicken wings with bones removed.
No reasonable consumer would believe that boneless wings are wings that have simply had their bones extracted, the judge wrote in the opinion. Instead, the court said, the phrase has become widely understood in American dining culture to refer to bite-sized pieces of white meat chicken prepared in the style of traditional wings.
The complaint
The lawsuit, filed in 2025, claimed that Buffalo Wild Wings marketing and menu descriptions deceived customers into thinking they were ordering deboned wings rather than what the complaint characterized as chicken nuggets. The plaintiff sought damages and injunctive relief on behalf of similarly situated customers nationwide.
Attorneys for Buffalo Wild Wings countered that the term boneless wings has been used for decades across the restaurant industry and is commonly understood to distinguish the product from traditional bone-in wings. They argued that the claim relied on an overly literal reading of the menu.
The court agreed with the restaurant chain, comparing the naming dispute to other food items whose names do not strictly describe their ingredients or form. The opinion referenced examples such as chicken fingers and hamburgers, noting that consumers do not expect those products to contain fingers or ham.
Reasonable consumer standard
Legal analysts say the ruling fits within a broader trend of courts dismissing consumer protection lawsuits that hinge on hyper-literal interpretations of food labeling.
Some legal analysts have noted that judges generally apply a reasonable consumer standard in these types of lawsuits. They pose the question of whether an ordinary consumer would actually be misled, not whether a term could be dissected into a technically inaccurate meaning.
Buffalo Wild Wings, headquartered in Atlanta and owned by Inspire Brands, welcomed the decision. In a statement, the company said it was pleased the court recognized that its menu descriptions are clear and consistent with industry norms.
Our guests understand that boneless wings are made from premium white meat chicken and prepared in the flavor styles they love, the statement said.
A new federal tax deduction will allow eligible taxpayers to deduct interest paid on new car loans beginning this tax year.
Lawmakers say the measure is designed to ease the burden of high auto prices and elevated interest rates.
Its a top-line deduction, so taxpayers dont have to itemize to benefit.
No tax on tips and no tax on overtime got the most attention when Congress passed The One, Big Beautiful Bill, but theres another deduction in the legislation that could benefit consumers who purchased and financed a new car in 2025.
In a move aimed at easing the financial strain of buying a vehicle, the bill contained a new income tax deduction allowing eligible taxpayers to deduct interest paid on new car loans.
The deduction, which takes effect this tax year, comes as Americans continue to grapple with high vehicle prices and interest rates that have significantly increased monthly car payments.
Supporters say the measure could provide meaningful relief for middle-class households, while skeptics question how broadly the benefit will apply.
How the deduction works
Under the new provision, taxpayers can deduct interest paid on qualified auto loans used to purchase new personal vehicles. The deduction applies only to loans originated after the laws effective date Dec. 31, 2024 and is subject to income limits. The maximum deduction is $10,000.
According to congressional summaries, individuals earning up to a specified income threshold expected to phase out for higher earners will be eligible to deduct up to a capped amount of auto loan interest annually. The deduction can be claimed whether the taxpayer itemizes or takes the standard deduction, a feature lawmakers included to broaden access.
Why lawmakers acted now
The average price of a new vehicle remains significantly higher than it was before the pandemic, and interest rates on auto loans have climbed as the Federal Reserve has worked to combat inflation. Many buyers are now financing vehicles at rates that add thousands of dollars in interest over the life of a loan.
Consumer advocates have pointed out that transportation costs are one of the largest household expenses, particularly in areas without reliable public transit. Higher borrowing costs have pushed monthly payments to record levels for many consumers.
By allowing borrowers to deduct interest paid on their loans, lawmakers hope to soften the blow of elevated rates and make vehicle ownership more affordable.
Who benefits most?
Tax experts say the value of the deduction will vary depending on a taxpayers income, loan size, and interest rate.
For example, a borrower who pays $1,500 in auto loan interest during the year and falls within the eligible income bracket could reduce their taxable income by that amount. The actual tax savings would depend on their marginal tax rate.
Middle-income households are expected to see the greatest benefit. However, analysts caution that lower-income families who may owe little or no federal income tax could see limited gains.
Impact on the auto industry
Auto industry groups have welcomed the change, arguing it could help stimulate demand, particularly as consumers grow cautious about taking on large loans.
Dealers say the deduction could make financing more attractive compared with paying cash, especially if interest rates remain elevated. Some economists believe the measure could modestly boost vehicle sales, though they do not expect it to dramatically alter market conditions.
Check price history before you buy. Use CamelCamelCamel or Keepa to see if the deal is legit or just a marked-up fake discount.
Stack discounts in the right order. Activate cashback, apply the best promo code you can find, then pay with a rewards credit card.
Slow down and test the cart trick. Leave items in your cart and wait 2448 hours many retailers will email a 1015% coupon to close the sale.
Online shopping is definitely convenient, but if youre not careful, its also very easy to overpay.
Retailers smartly use things like countdown timers, auto-applied coupons that arent actually the best deal, and only threeleft! warnings to push you into a quick purchase.
But the good news is that once you understand how the system works, you can flip it in your favor.
Heres your practical online shopping playbook to save at practically any retailer.
Step 1: Start with a price history check
Before you even think about looking for a coupon code to bring your total price down, ask yourself one simple question first:
Is this actually a good price?
For Amazon purchases, the best way to figure out what kind of a deal you're getting is to use one of these tools:
These tools show the price history of any product Amazon sells, making it easy to see if the deal is real or just a temporary markup followed by a fake discount.
For other retailers, not named Amazon, Google search the following to see if the price is a deal or not:
Product name + price history
Or you can also check if the brand sells direct to shoppers. Often time brands will discount their own products more aggressively than online marketplaces do.
Pro tip: Heres a good rule-of-thumb, if the current price is within 5%10% of the lowest historical price, its usually safe to buy and a solid deal.
Step 2: Run the coupon stack (in the right order)
Never assume the promo code on the retailers homepage is the best one available.
Before you checkout, do the following:
Check the retailers promo page as they often hide the best promo codes.
Then Google: Store name + promo code + February 2026
Then install one of these browser extensions that will automatically find coupon codes for you while you shop:
Then once you have a browser extension installed, you can start stacking the discounts.
Heres the savings stack that I always aim for:
Sitewide promo code
Email signup discount
Cashback portal
Credit card rewards
Even if you only shave off 8%12%, that compounds across a year of online purchases and it turns into significant money.
Step 3: Always activate cashback first
If youre not familiar with online cashback portals, they exist to offer you cashback when shopping at individual websites like Macys, Best Buy, IKEA, and Walmart.
Some of the bigger players include the following companies:
Rakuten
TopCashback
BeFrugal
RetailMeNot
You simply sign-up and start your online shopping on one of these cashback sites, and you can expect these types of returns:
1%7% on everyday purchases.
8%15% during promo events.
Higher bonuses around Black Friday, back-to-school, and holiday sales.
I realize it doesnt sound like much, but if you spend about $500 a month shopping online, getting 5% back is $300 you werent getting before.
Step 4: Use the abandon cart trick (yes, it still works)
This is by far my most passive aggressive way to save money when shopping online, and yes, it still works in 2026.
You simply add items to your online cart, then leave without finalizing your purchase.
This will automatically trigger many online retailers to email you one of the following:
10%15% come back codes
Free shipping offers
Limited-time discounts
Of course it doesnt work everywhere, but it works often enough to make it worth trying, especially on significant purchases like electronics, laptops, and expensive clothing.
Step 5: Compare shipping thresholds vs filler items
Free shipping thresholds like spend $50, get free shipping are specifically designed to get you to spend more.
Heres the classic example:
Your cart: $42
Free shipping at: $50
Shipping cost: $6.99
So, if you spend the $8 more, and buy a filler item you dont need, youve essentially spent $8 to save $6.99.
Heres a good rule-of-thumb, only add a filler item in these scenarios:
Its something you were already going to buy.
It costs less than the actual shipping fee.
It wont cause you to overspend later.
I know it hurts, but sometimes the smartest move is to just pay the dang shipping fee.
Step 6: Time your purchases strategically
Online deals and sales events follow some very predictable patterns every year.
By knowing when stuff tends to get cheaper, you can time your purchases and maximize your savings when shopping online.
Here are the general timing trends you should consider:
Heres the real takeaway from this: If its not an urgent need, waiting a couple weeks to 30 days can make a real difference and easily save you 20-50%.
Step 7: Dont fall for the fake urgency
Online stores absolutely love to use tricks to make you think youre about to miss out on your only chance to save money.
Here are the tricks to we tend to always see:
Countdown timers
Only two left
30 people are viewing this
Deal expires in 05:00
Im here to tell you that these are all ploys to create fake urgency in your brain which always transfers down to your wallet.
Dont believe me? The next time you see wording like Only twoleft, do your own experiment and come back the next day and see what the site says. Often it will be reset to Only 10 left, or the wording will be completely gone.
Pro tip: If the dealhappens to disappear, just check a competing website for the same product and youll often find it even cheaper.
Always remember that scarcity isjust a marketing tool never a smart shoppers reality.
of ConsumerAffairs
