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Americans just got some reassurances that inflation was slowing, and not reaccelerating, last month.

Thursday's reading of wholesale inflation follows a better-than-expected reading of consumer prices on Wednesday.

HSBC has put some staff on short-term “gig economy” contracts as part of an aggressive cost-cutting drive overseen by its new chief executive.

(Bloomberg) -- US wholesale inflation stagnated in February thanks to a sharp decline in trade margins, though one measure of goods prices jumped and details were also less favorable for the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.Most Read from BloombergTrump DEI Purge Hits Affordable Housing GroupsElectric Construction Equipment Promises a Quiet RevolutionNYC Congestion Pricing Toll Gains Support Among City ResidentsOpen Philanthropy Launches $120 Million Fund To Support YIMBY ReformsProsp

The Federal Reserve is seen restarting interest-rate cuts in June, traders bet on Tuesday, as government data showed U.S. producer prices were unexpectedly flat last month and weekly jobless claims fell. Short-term interest-rate futures after the data were pricing about a 75% chance of a quarter-point reduction to the Fed's policy rate by June, little changed from what was seen prior to the data. They continue to price in a total of three rate cuts for the year.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. producer prices were unchanged in February for the first time in seven months, while fewer Americans filed claims for unemployment benefits last week, pointing to a stable economy that should allow the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates steady next Wednesday. But the calm painted by the reports from the Labor Department on Thursday could be upended by radical government spending cuts, which have pushed thousands of federal employees and contractors out of work, and an escalating trade war stemming from broad import tariffs. The aggressive policies pursued by President Donald Trump's administration have sent business and consumer confidence plummeting, and raised the chances of a recession.

U.S. wholesale inflation decelerated last month, suggesting that price pressures are easing for now. The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — was unchanged from January after rising 0.6% the month before. Compared to a year earlier, producer prices were up 3.2%, down from a year-over-year gain of 3.7% in January.