Try GOLD - Free

Key US inflation gauge stable, paving way for lower Fed rates

The Straits Times

|

September 01, 2025

But it remains unclear if price hikes from Trump's tariffs will become persistent

- Colby Smith

The US Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation stayed steady in July, keeping the central bank on track to begin lowering interest rates as soon as its next meeting in September.

Consumer prices rose 0.2 per cent in July and were up 2.6 per cent from a year earlier, according to the personal consumption expenditures price index released by the US Commerce Department on Aug 29. That was the same annual pace for the previous period.

Core prices, which exclude volatile food and energy costs, and are seen as a more reliable gauge of underlying inflation, rose 0.3 per cent from the previous month. Compared with the same time in 2024, those prices were up 2.9 per cent, slightly higher than June's year-over-year increase.

US President Donald Trump's tariffs have started to push up consumer prices, but what is not yet clear is how much further they are set to rise and whether this will lead to a temporary burst in inflation or something more persistent.

MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Pereira favourite to replace sacked Dyche

Nottingham Forest have sacked Sean Dyche after only 114 days in charge, with a goalless English Premier League draw against bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers on Feb 11 proving to be his final match as the manager.

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Kim Jong Un positioning daughter as successor: Seoul spy agency

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be taking steps to consolidate his daughter's position as successor, and there are signs she is providing input on policy matters, South Korean lawmakers said on Feb 12, citing a spy agency briefing.

time to read

1 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Making your CPF work harder for a comfortable retirement

The CPF Board has finally started the ball rolling to procure a new long-term investment plan for its members after a decade, and this only serves to reinforce the well-known fact that its basic 2.5 and 4 per cent interest rates are hard to beat.

time to read

4 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Bill passed requiring midterm voters to prove they are US citizens

Democrats say measure concentrates electoral power in President Trump’s hands

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

Grab posts first full-year profit of $338m

Grab swung to a net profit of US$268 million (S$338 million) in 2025, from a loss of US$105 million in 2024, its first year in the black after a record fourth-quarter performance.

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

Companies to receive tax deductions on spending on AI tools

Businesses will soon receive tax deductions on spending on artificial intelligence (AI) tools, as part of a concerted push by the Government to encourage adoption of the technology.

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

‘OUTSIDER’ BRIGNONE ROARS AT HOME

Italian takes super-G gold after double leg fracture and a torn ACL to complete full set

time to read

3 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

YAHAGI COOL AND COLOURFUL AS USUAL

Trainer absorbing pressure of high stakes of Forever Young’s historic 2nd Saudi Cup bid

time to read

2 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Singapore wants to leap from Smart Nation to AI Nation. The hard part starts now

It is methodically putting the pieces in place, but companies and workers will determine whether the bet pays off.

time to read

4 mins

February 13, 2026

The Straits Times

S'pore stocks gain more ground as key index hits all-time high

Singapore stocks ended higher on Feb 12 as regional indexes mostly tracked lower.

time to read

1 mins

February 13, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size