Economic Data Reports: February 15th, 2010

U.S. January Import Prices are up 1.5% for the month of January. That number is up from December's revised increase of 1.2%. Inflation worries continue to be in the realm of food and energy where price rates increases are in the mid-teens. Higher energy and food costs particularly pressure consumer spending.

The February Empire State Factory Index also yielded a rise for the month of January. The index came in at 15.4, up from the prior month's 11.92. Analysts were expecting a reading of 15 even. A jump in new orders is a sign of further improvement in the economy.

Also out early this morning, retail sales which rose by 0.3% in January. A dip from February's revised 0.5% rise. The gain in January sales is attributed to higher gasoline prices. Economists on average expected a rise of 0.5% for the first month of 2011.

Worst of the Global Financial Crisis Yet to Come

Feb. 13 2011 | With inflation set to rise further, Martin Hennecke, associate director at Tyche, recommends investing in commodities such as gold and silver. He talks to CNBC's Bernard Lo and Oriel Morrison.

Obama Takes Scalpel to Budget, Avoiding Pain

President Barack Obama's $3.5 trillion-plus budget plan will likely be ignored by resurgent Republicans intent on cutting tens of billions of dollars from the president's old budget. (Feb. 13)

Bernanke Opening Statement

Feb. 9 2011 | Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke takes questions on the economy and inflation.

End of Japan Deflationary Environment is Near

Feb. 7 2011 | Robert Parker, senior advisor at Credit Suisse, says prospects of a weaker yen and low price-to-book ratios for Japanese corporates will benefit the country's equity market this year. He tells CNBC's Martin Soong & Saijal Patel that he's forecasting positive inflation in Japan by mid-year.