Latest US Inflation Report

Latest US Inflation Report The United States economy is closely monitoring the latest inflation data, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2026 recently released. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the CPI for All Urban Consumers increased by 0.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in July, following a 0.4 percent decrease in June. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index saw a 3.4 percent increase before seasonal adjustment. This annual inflation rate slowed for a second consecutive month in July 2026, from 3.5 percent in June, aligning with expectations. Key components of the inflation report indicate varied trends across sectors. From June to July 2026, food price inflation was 0.08 percent, while energy prices experienced a decrease of 1.48 percent. Core CPI-U, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased by 0.22 percent month-over-month. Year-over-year, headline CPI-U inflation was 3.36 percent from July 2025 to July 2026, with core CPI-U at 2.48 percent. Consumer confidence reports from August 2026 indicate slightly more elevated average and median 12-month inflation expectations, with a majority of consumers still anticipating higher interest rates over the next 12 months. Firms' expectations for U.S. inflation also showed a slight decrease in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, with a median expectation of 3.0 percent. These figures are crucial for understanding the current economic climate, as real average weekly earnings decreased by 0.02 percent from June to July 2026, and for informing future monetary policy decisions. Why this poll exists: Users are being asked to vote on their perception of the current state of inflation in the United States, specifically in light of the recently released July 2026 Consumer Price Index report and its implications for household finances and the broader economy. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Joint Economic Committee