Even in the face of economic numbers seemingly showing a big pop in the Consumer Price Index, investors have begun to consider inflation almost an afterthought.

The pitter-patter of little feet and the high-pitched cries of infants may seem louder lately, but it's music to the ears of many companies that cater to infants and children.

Most inflation this year has come from food and fuel, as retailers resisted passing along to strapped consumers the higher prices. But shoppers should get ready for a bump in prices.

Most inflation this year has come from food and fuel, as retailers resisted passing along to strapped consumers the higher prices. But shoppers should get ready for a bump in prices.

Consumer products maker Newell Rubbermaid said on Tuesday that it would exit some product lines and raise prices to offset rapidly rising resin costs and protect profit margins.

Shares of Kimberly-Clark sank more than 7 percent in after-hours trading on Tuesday after the maker of Kleenex tissues and other consumer products reported preliminary second-quarter results that were below analysts' estimates.

Better start stocking up on diapers and detergent.

Oil's relentless ascent finally pushed stocks over the edge, abruptly snapping the market's two-month rally.  The Dow dropped 3.9% for the week, dragged down by GM's 15% decline. Crude jumped $6 this week, settling at $132.19 a barrel. All U.S. financial markets are closed Monday.

Stocks declined as a slightly-better-than-expected report on U.S. home sales offered a brief reprieve but proved no match for relentless oil prices.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq were on track to record their worst weekly percentage declines since mid-February.

Stocks pared some losses after a slightly better-than-expected report on U.S. home sales. Oil climbed above $133 a barrel.

Kimberly-Clark, marker of Kleenex tissues, Huggies diapers and a host of other consumer products, said Friday it would raise prices by 6 percent to 8 percent in the third quarter to offset higher raw material and energy costs.

Stocks pared some losses after a slightly better-than-expected report on U.S. home sales. Oil climbed above $133 a barrel.

There's nearly $3.5 trillion dollars waiting to be invested in the markets, according to Frederic Dickson, chief market strategist  of D.A. Davidson.  So what's keeping it out?  And what should investors do in the meantime?