U.S. PCE Inflation Inches Up To 2.7%; Meets Expectations
In August, U.S. PCE inflation inched up slightly to 2.7% from 2.6% in July, according to the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index. This was right in line with what economists had predicted. Looking at the core PCE, which strips out the more unpredictable costs of food and energy, inflation stayed steady at 2.9%, the same as July. On a month-to-month basis, prices rose 0.3% overall, with the core index up 0.2%. The report also showed that Americans’ personal income grew by 0.4%, giving households a bit more spending power. Meanwhile, personal spending climbed 0.6%, suggesting people are still willing to spend despite rising prices. In short, inflation is creeping up slowly, but income and spending remain strong, showing that the U.S. economy is holding steady even as prices continue to rise. It’s a snapshot of steady growth rather than any sudden spikes or slowdowns.