U.S. consumer prices rise 2.7% in August

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in August from a year earlier, with higher housing and gasoline costs driving most of the increase.

The Labor Department said Thursday that the consumer price index advanced 0.2% on a monthly basis. Despite the monthly gain, annual inflation softened from the 2.9% pace set during the 12 months ended in July.

The more modest inflation rate should help to boost the spending power of Americans whose recent wage gains had been eaten up by higher prices. The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring inflation levels in order to determine if short-term interest rates should be increased to keep prices stable. Fed officials are expected to boost rates for a third time this year during a meeting in September.

Average hourly wages climbed 2.9% during the 12 months ended in August, outpacing inflation slightly. The Trump administration has argued that income growth is much higher if bonuses, benefits and federal tax cuts are included in the calculation.

Core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, increased 0.1% in August and 2.2% from a year ago.

The single largest expenditure—housing—saw related expenses climb 0.3% in August and 3.4% annually. Gas prices jumped 3% last month and 20.3% on the year. Food costs ticked up just 0.1% last month. Clothing prices plunged 1.6% last month, while new vehicle costs were unchanged.

Separately, the Labor Department reported that 204,000 people filed for unemployment benefits last week. This was 1,000 fewer people than the prior week and the lowest number of applications since December 1969.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City and founded in 1846.