United States Inflation Rate

The annual inflation rate in the US slowed more than expected to 8.5% in July of 2022 from an over 40-year high of 9.1% hit in June, and below market forecasts of 8.7%. Energy CPI rose by 32.9%, after hitting a 42-year high of 41.6% in June, mainly due to a big slowdown in gasoline costs (44% vs 59.9%), fuel oil (75.6% vs 98.5%), and natural gas (30.5% vs 38.4%) while electricity prices accelerated (15.2%, the most since February 2006). Cost also slowed for new vehicles (10.4% vs 11.4%) and airline fares (27.7% vs 34.1%), but inflation continued to march higher for food (10.9%, the largest increase since May of 1979, vs 10.4%); shelter (5.7% vs 5.6%); and used cars and trucks (6.6% vs 1.7%). Compared to the previous month, the CPI was unchanged, after hitting a 17-year high of 1.3% and also below forecasts of 0.2%. Core inflation was steady at 5.9%, beating expectations of 6.1%, and offering some support that inflation has finally peaked.