Scott Horsley

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has generally tried to avoid getting dragged into a fight with the president.

But earlier this month, Powell said public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats.

This week's post-meeting news conference will give Powell another chance to make the case for why the Fed should be insulated from political interference.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Natural gas prices soared earlier this week as forecasters predicted snow, ice, and arctic temperatures across much of the country.

But prices have since fallen back a bit.

Natural gas is used to heat nearly half the homes in the country, and it's a major fuel for electricity generation as well.

Stock in Intel fell after the chipmaker issued a cautious sales forecast.

Intel's enjoying strong demand for its computer chips thanks to the artificial intelligence boom.

but the company says supply constraints are making it hard to keep up.

Japan's central bank held interest rates steady and raised its forecast for both inflation and economic growth.

Stocks in Tokyo and elsewhere in Asia were higher overnight.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Personal spending rose by half a percent in October and another half percent in November.

Personal spending is the biggest driver of the U.S.

economy.

But the jump in spending during those months outpaced the rise in income.

Some families dipped into savings to cover the difference.

Others put the balance on their credit card.

The Commerce Department's inflation yardstick, which is closely watched by the Federal Reserve, shows consumer prices continue to climb this past fall, faster than the Fed would like.