Wholesale Inflation Sparks Debate Over Fed Rate Hike.
U.S. wholesale prices rose 0.4% in August from July, matching forecasts. The annual rate accelerated to 5.4%, up from 4.7% in July.
- 5.4% annual PPI is 0.1 percentage point above economists' expectations.
- Core PPI, excluding food and energy, rose 4.6% year-over-year in August.
- Monthly core PPI rose 0.2%, slightly below the 0.3% forecast.
- Oil prices topped $100 a barrel this week amid renewed Middle East fighting.
Why it matters: The PPI data feeds into the Fed's preferred inflation gauge and arrives one week before the Sept. 16 policy meeting, where a rate increase is under consideration.
- Annual wholesale inflation peaked at 5.9% in May; the August reading remains well above the Fed's 2% target.
- Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has recently emphasized returning inflation to 2% as the central bank's priority.
How 45 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage broadly agrees on the numbers; outlets diverge on whether to emphasize energy-war drivers or political pressure on the Fed and the Trump administration.
Center coverage, 19 sources: The center focuses on how the data compares with forecasts and what it signals for the Fed's upcoming rate decision.
CNBC5dHere’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chart
Reuters5dCooling inflation strengthens bets on another Brazil rate cutCNCTV News5dAugust inflation likely held at 3% as oil prices fell: economists
Associated Press6dUS wholesale prices rise in latest sign of stubborn inflation as oil prices continue to climb
Axios5dInflation stays hot in August as Iran war drives energy costs higher
Financial Times5dUS inflation held steady at 3.4% in August as high fuel prices persistIBTIBTimes5dCore Inflation Rose More Than Expected In August As Price Pressures Remain HighKSAKSAT 12 San Antonio6dWholesale prices moved higher last month in latest sign of stubborn inflation
MarketWatch6dWholesale inflation stirred up again by Iran war and high oil prices. What does it mean for the Fed?
Newsweek5dInflation remains elevated as diesel prices hit record highNOTNOTUS5dU.S. Inflation Accelerates as Gas Prices Continue to Climb - The Washington Sun
PBS NewsHour5dU.S. inflation accelerated last month as gas prices spiked, squeezing Americans' financesLeft coverage, 10 sources: The left emphasizes the Iran war as the driver of energy costs and highlights the burden on consumers struggling with higher prices for gas, groceries, and other essentials.
CNN6dWholesale inflation picked up in August, as energy costs kept rising
The Independent6dWholesale prices moved higher last month in latest sign of stubborn inflation
CBS News5dFed rate hike in September is all but guaranteed after CPI report, economists say
MSNBC5dConsumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persist
ABC News5dInflation holds steady at elevated level as Iran war pushes up gas prices
Al Jazeera5dRising petrol costs drive sharp inflation increase in US in AugustCDCommon Dreams5dAugust CPI Report Shows Price Hikes Accelerating as Trump Brushes Off Working Families’ Affordability Worries
Political Wire5dInflation Was 3.4% in August with Gas Prices Still ElevatedTBGThe Boston Globe5dInflation keeps pressure on Fed to raise key rates
The Washington Post5dInflation remained stubbornly higher in AugustRight coverage, 16 sources: The right stresses the political stakes for the Trump administration and Republicans in midterms, and notes Trump's pressure on the Fed to cut rather than raise rates.
Washington Examiner5dInflation and the midterm elections
New York Post5dFed Chair Kevin Warsh under presssure to hike rates as inflation fails to cool: 'Time to put up or shut up'
The Epoch Times5dUS Annual Inflation Rate Unchanged at 3.4 Percent in August
Breitbart News5dCore Prices Rise More Than Expected, Raising Odds of Fed Hike
Citizen Free Press5dCPI Inflation released for August.
Newsmax5dInflation Still 3.4% Higher on Expensive Gas, Food
The Washington Times5dPrices climbed slightly in August as Fed weighs interest-rate increase
Daily Mail5dAmerican consumers are getting zero relief from inflation as price increases just keep on rolling and gasoline becomes even more expensive
Just the News6dConsumer prices increase at annualized rate of 0.4% in August: Labor Department
NewsBusters5dAnnual Core Inflation Falls to Lowest Level in More Than Five Years
NTD5dUS Annual Inflation Rate Unchanged at 3.4 Percent in August
RedState5dLatest Inflation Report for August Shows Slight Rise Ahead of Next Fed MeetingWhat’s next: The Consumer Price Index releases Friday; forecasters expect inflation to hold roughly steady.
- The Fed's preferred inflation measure, the PCE index, is scheduled for release Sept. 30.
- Will Friday's CPI report tip the Fed toward a rate hike or give officials reason to hold?
- How much of the current wholesale inflation reflects temporary energy shocks versus broader price pressures?