Core consumer prices in the United States, which exclude food and energy, went up by 0.3% over a month in August 2026, the most since April, following a 0.2% increase in July and above market forecasts of a 0.2% rise. Higher prices for communication services, airline fares, education, used cars and trucks, and lodging away from home were partly offset by declines in medical care and motor vehicle insurance costs. On a yearly basis, the core inflation rate eased to 2.4% in August from 2.5% the previous month, aligned with market expectations.