The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted in August after a 0.1 percent gain in July. Over the 12 months ending August, the all-items index increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment, matching Dow Jones and Reuters consensus for the year-over-year print.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in August, hotter than the 0.2 percent consensus, after a 0.2 percent rise in July. Core inflation was up 2.4 percent over the year, easing from 2.5 percent in July and landing in line with forecasts.
Energy climbed 2.1 percent on the month. Gasoline rose 3.9 percent and accounted for more than one third of the all-items monthly increase, BLS said. Food rose 0.1 percent. Shelter rose 0.3 percent. The print is the main inflation input into the Federal Reserve’s Sep. 15-16 meeting.
Sources: BLS CPI Summary USDL-26-1496 (Aug. 2026 PDF); Dow Jones/Reuters consensus as cited on wires; CNBC Jeff Cox (print corroboration).
