How many times has the word "inflation" been mentioned by company executives this earnings season? On around 2 out of 3 conference calls, according to a transcript analysis by FactSet. The pressures have been on full display on both the producer and consumer sides of the equation, showing that companies have a lot more to think about when determining pricing and products. So far, around 20% of companies in the S&P 500 have reported Q3 results in the first two weeks of earnings season. Another 165 firms, representing around a third of the benchmark index, will issue their quarterly report cards this week.

Home prices are still higher than they were a year ago, but gains are shrinking at the fastest pace on record, according to one key metric, as the housing market struggles under sharply higher interest rates. Prices in August were 13% higher nationally compared with August 2021, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index. That is down from a 15.6% annual gain in the previous month. The 2.6% difference in those monthly comparisons is the largest in the history of the index, which was launched in 1987, meaning price gains are decelerating at a record pace.

United Parcel Service reported mixed third quarter results Tuesday morning, posting earnings that beat analyst expectations and revenue that fell short of predictions. The company said softening demand globally hurt volumes, which was partially offset by higher pricing driven by inflation. UPS also reaffirmed its outlook for full-year revenue of $102 billion