Global expansion being powered by unexpectedly strong growth in the U.S.
The unemployment rate has come in below 4% for 26 straight months
Growth has now topped 2% for six straight quarters, defying fears that high interest rates would lead to a recession
Statistics show that when companies roll out more efficient technology, their workers can become more productive
A growing share of business forecasters worry that the Fed is keeping rates unnecessarily high
The agency upgraded its growth forecast and now expects lower inflation
The job market is cooling in a mostly painless way — through fewer openings
Optimism is growing that the Fed is on track to deliver a rare soft landing
Softer price report could reassure the central bank's policymakers
Energy and housing prices fuelled the increase