Employment Cost Index rises 0.9% in first quarter

10 articles · Updated · Seeking Alpha · Apr 30

The increase beat economists' 0.8% forecast and accelerated from 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Wages and salaries rose 0.8%, while benefit costs climbed 1.2% from December 2025 levels.
For the 12 months ending in March 2026, compensation costs for civilian workers increased 3.4% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.

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