Inflation remained stubbornly high in August as Fed weighs rate cuts

Inflation Overview - Inflation rose 0.4% in August, with a year-over-year increase of 2.9%, remaining above the Federal Reserve's target rate [1] - Core prices, excluding volatile items like gasoline and food, increased by 0.3% month-over-month and 3.1% year-over-year, aligning with economists' expectations [2] Impact on Households - High inflation has imposed significant financial pressures on U.S. households, particularly affecting lower-income Americans who spend a larger portion of their income on necessities [3] Food Prices - Food prices rose 0.5% in August, with the food at home index increasing by 0.6% and food away from home by 0.3%. Year-over-year, the overall food index is up 3.2% [4] - Specific food categories showed varied price changes: egg prices remained flat, meat, poultry, and fish rose by 1.1%, dairy increased by 0.1%, and fruits and vegetables rose by 1.6% [5] Housing and Shelter Costs - Housing prices increased by 0.4% in August and are 3.6% higher than a year ago, driven primarily by the shelter index [8] - Energy costs rose by 0.7% month-over-month, with gasoline prices increasing by 1.9% but down 6.6% year-over-year [8] Transportation and Apparel Costs - Transportation costs increased by 1% in August and are 3.5% higher than last year, with auto maintenance costs up 2.4% month-over-month [9] - Apparel prices jumped by 2.2% in August, with footwear costs rising by 0.8% [9] Other Goods and Services - Tools, hardware, and outdoor equipment prices increased by 0.8% in August, up 3.9% year-over-year, while furniture and bedding costs rose by 0.3% and are up 4.7% from last year [10]