Amy Scott

Moving on from inflation, Greg, we also had that better than expected jobs report from January this week.

What does that tell you about the strength of the economy right now?

What does that tell you about the strength of the economy right now?

And real quick, Catherine, before we go, wage growth outpacing inflation.

And real quick, Catherine, before we go, wage growth outpacing inflation.

How are consumers generally faring right now?

How are consumers generally faring right now?

Well, if you ask consumers, they say they're doing very, very badly, if you look at consumer sentiment numbers.

Well, if you ask consumers, they say they're doing very, very badly, if you look at consumer sentiment numbers.

But yes, those data, amongst others, are more encouraging.

But yes, those data, amongst others, are more encouraging.

Well, both the fact that they are getting more jobs and that there is stronger wage growth.

Well, both the fact that they are getting more jobs and that there is stronger wage growth.

which is part of the reason why I sort of qualified my affordability answer, because what really matters, whether or not consumers will articulate it this way, is what's happening to prices relative to what's happening to their wages, basically what's happening to real wage growth.

which is part of the reason why I sort of qualified my affordability answer, because what really matters, whether or not consumers will articulate it this way, is what's happening to prices relative to what's happening to their wages, basically what's happening to real wage growth.

That affects what they can literally afford.

That affects what they can literally afford.

So, yes, good news that we are seeing some some strength.

So, yes, good news that we are seeing some some strength.

in um in wage growth uh will it be enough to perk up consumers voters views of the economy i'm not so convinced we'll we'll watch for that all right katherine rampell is at the bulwark at ms now greg ip with the wall street journal thanks both so much and have a great weekend thanks for having me on wall street a mixed trading day on this friday the 13th we'll have the details when we do the numbers