United States Small Business and Main Street Economy – May spending rose 0.7% and the PCE price index was 4.1% higher than a year ago, keeping pressure on Main Street budgets and Fed watchers.
United States Prices and Inflation Watch — BEA said May PCE prices rose 4.1% year over year and core PCE rose 3.4%, leaving price pressure and Fed policy in focus. ([bea.gov](https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/personal-income-and-outlays-may-2026))
United States Small Business and Main Street Economy – May retail sales climbed, and June sentiment improved, but shoppers are still watching prices and gas costs.
May inflation rose 4.2% from a year earlier as gasoline stayed expensive, consumers kept spending, and households had little savings cushion.
April inflation sped up to 3.8% while retail sales rose 0.5%, leaving households with higher costs even as consumer spending stayed resilient.
