The 12-month rate of inflation as of August 2026 is 3.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Energy inflation spiked to 16.9% as the status of the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain. Core inflation, which excludes energy and food, was 2.4%.

Core inflation ran hotter than anyone wanted in August, which means the Fed's Tuesday meeting is now a formality with a press conference attached.

U.S. consumer prices accelerated in August as the cost of gasoline rebounded after two straight monthly declines, bolstering market expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week.

The personal consumption expenditures price index was expected to rise 0.1% monthly and 3.6% on a 12-month basis, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

Core inflation, which excludes the more volatile costs of food and energy and is considered a better indicator of trends in price growth, edged lower in August. Core CPI inflation measured 0.3% month over month in August;

Japan's core inflation rose 1.7% in August, maintaining pressure near the Bank of Japan's 2% target as the central bank considers a potential rate hike.

The August inflation report was a cheerful one; not only was the headline inflation unchanged, but core inflation dropped. Click for this latest analysis.

Bitcoin climbed back above $80,000 after Fed Governor Christopher Waller said cooling inflation could justify leaving interest rates unchanged in September. Three-month core inflation has

Gold edged lower in Asian trade. U.S. core inflation data likely strengthens the case for the Fed to raise its benchmark rate at its meeting this week, CBA said.

Core services CPI +4.0% annualized, Core CPI +3.5% annualized, all-items CPI +4.9% annualized in August, from July. Read more here.