The dip in July followed months of solid retail sales. Americans spent heavily during the World Cup and on Amazon Prime Day. Sales in April and May were solid as Americans spent their government tax refunds.
The Labor Department's August Consumer Price Index report showed core prices rising faster than economists predicted, a result that puts the Federal Reserve on a near-certain path toward another interest rate hike. Consumer prices jumped 0.4 percent in August compared with July, matching what forecasters expected for the headline number. But the detail that matters […] The post August consumer prices climb 3.4 percent as core inflation beats forecasts, raising pressure on the Fed appeared first on American Almanac .
The Labor Department's August Consumer Price Index report showed core prices rising faster than economists predicted, a result that puts the Federal Reserve on a near-certain path toward another interest rate hike. Consumer prices jumped 0.4 percent in August compared with July, matching what forecasters expected for the headline number. But the detail that matters most landed above the consensus: core prices, which strip out volatile food and energy costs, rose 0.3 percent for the month. Economists had forecast a 0.2 percent increase. That one-tenth-of-a-point miss carries real weight heading into next week's Fed meeting, because core inflation is the gauge policymakers watch most closely when deciding whether to tighten the screws on…Open
Consumer prices rose in August compared to July, according to new data from the Department of Labor.
Inflation ticked up in August, largely due to an increase in the price of gasoline, raising concerns about potential Federal Reserve action on interest rates . PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Consumer prices rose in August compared to July, according to new data from the Department of Labor. DETAIL: According to the new data released on Friday, consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in August, largely due to a 3.9 percent increase in gasoline prices, which surged 27.4 percent over the year. Meanwhile, grocery prices increased 2.2 percent, and electricity prices decreased 0.2 percent in August. Over the past year, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3.4 percent, matching the annual rise reported in July. Core inflation, which excludes the…Open
The Labor Department said Friday that the consumer price index rose 3.4% last month compared with a year ago, the same as in July.
Overall, the U.S. economy is expected to add millions of jobs in the coming years, but some industries may fare better than others.
Higher costs for home loans have put a squeeze on the housing market, adding pressure to consumers already struggling with elevated inflation.
Layoffs in the United States hit a four-year low in August, according to new data.
Layoffs in the U.S. have dropped to their lowest level since 2022, but hiring remains sluggish, raising concerns about economic momentum. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Layoffs in the United States hit a four-year low in August, according to new data . DETAIL: Layoffs across the U.S. in August fell to their lowest level in four years, according to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, with employers announcing 52,881 job cuts, a 38 percent decrease compared to the same month in 2025. However, despite this positive trend, hiring activity has not kept pace, raising questions about the broader health of the labor market. The consumer products industry led August’s job cuts with over 10,000 layoffs, followed by the food and technology…Open
The Bloomberg Agriculture Spot Index climbed more than 13% in August
The increase was in line with forecasts.
The reason for the lackluster growth number was imports.