Updated: 11-Sep-26 09:22 ET
Highlights
- Total CPI was up 0.4% month-over-month in August, as expected, while core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was up 0.3% (Briefing.com consensus: 0.2%).
- With these changes, the year-over-year increase in total CPI was 3.4%, as expected, unchanged from July, and core CPI was up 2.4%, down from 2.5% in July.
- The food index was up 0.1% month-over-month and up 2.7% year-over-year.
- The energy index was up 2.1% month-over-month and up 16.3% year-over-year.
- The shelter index was up 0.3% month-over-month and up 3.0% year-over-year.
- The used cars and trucks index was up 0.4% month-over-month but down 2.3% year-over-year.
- The apparel index was unchanged month-over-month and up 3.9% year-over-year.
- The services index was up 0.3% month-over-month and up 3.1% year-over-year.
- The all-items index, less food, shelter, and energy, was up 0.3% month-over-month and up 2.0% year-over-year.
- From August 2025 to August 2026, real average hourly earnings for all employees decreased 0.3%, seasonally adjusted. Real average hourly earnings on a month-over-month basis decreased 0.1%.
- The key takeaway from the report is that it wasn't good enough to put September rate-hike fears to rest.
| Category | AUG | JUL | JUN | MAY | APR |
| All Items | 0.4% | 0.1% | -0.4% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Food and Beverages | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.5% |
| Housing | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.7% |
| Equivalent Rent | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Apparel | 0.0% | 0.1% | -0.6% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Transportation | 1.2% | -0.5% | -2.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Vehicles | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.0% | -0.2% | -0.2% |
| Motor Fuel | 3.9% | -2.9% | -9.7% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Medical Care | -0.2% | 0.4% | -0.1% | 0.3% | -0.1% |
| Educ and Commun | 1.6% | 0.6% | -0.8% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| Special Indices | |||||
| Core | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Energy | 2.1% | -1.5% | -5.7% | 3.9% | 3.8% |
| Services | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
