Core Inflation and Consumer Spending - The PCE price index increased by 2.7% in August year-over-year, up from 2.6% in July, marking the highest increase since February [1] - Core PCE inflation, excluding food and energy, remained at a 2.9% increase from August 2024, consistent with July's figures [2] - Inflation-adjusted consumer spending rose by 0.4% from July, driven by a 0.7% increase in goods spending, while services spending only increased by 0.2% [3] Federal Reserve Actions and Economic Context - The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023 due to rising inflation, which remains above the 2% target [4] - Recently, the Fed reduced rates for the first time this year to support a weakening job market, while being cautious about further cuts due to potential impacts from tariffs [4] - The Fed prefers the PCE inflation gauge over the consumer price index as it accounts for changes in consumer shopping behavior during inflationary periods [6]