The U.S. cost of living increased solidly in December, boosting the inflation rate for 2021 to the highest level in nearly four decades, according to a government report released Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Last month gasoline prices decreased for the first time in over a half year, but prices climbed yet again for shelter, food, vehicles, health care and clothing. Across the longer haul, Americans in 2021 paid a lot more for virtually everything they bought. Continue reading U.S. Inflation Rises 7% in 2021, Marking Highest Rate Since 1982 →

Inflation in the United States increased further in November as American consumers paid more, again, for a broad range of goods and services, driving the annual inflation rate to its highest point in more than 39 years, according to government data released Friday, Dec. 10.

Inflation pressures have been aggravated not only by surging prices for food and energy, but also by increased costs for shelter, vehicles, clothing, and medical care. Continue reading U.S. Rate of Inflation Soars to 39-Year High as Consumer Prices Jump in November →

Inflation over the past 12 months raced the quickest since 1990, according to government data released Wednesday, Nov 10, as U.S. consumers spent more in October for a broad range of products.

Most noticeable, energy prices logged sharp gains for the month and from a year ago. American also paid more for shelter and vehicles — both new and used. Food prices increased the same in October as in September but they surged stronger from a year earlier. Continue reading U.S. Rate of Inflation Highest Since 1990 →

The pace of inflation accelerated in September as Americans paid more for food, rent, new vehicles and other items, government data released Wednesday, Oct. 13, shows.

Energy price increases tapered a tad over the month and from a year ago compared to the levels reported in August, but prices overall for food jumped by all measures. Continue reading U.S. Inflation Resumes Quicker Pace in September →

Inflation in the United States eased a bit with gains in consumer prices slowing some in August, according to government data released Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Although underlying inflation pressures softened somewhat last month, Americans continued to pay significantly more for food and energy as compared to a year earlier. Continue reading Annual U.S. Inflation Cools Slightly; Consumer Price Gains Ease in August →

Americans paid less for goods and services in July versus June but inflation remained near a 13-year high on an annual basis, according to government data released Wednesday, August 11.

The pace of pricing increases rose virtually across the board from a year ago. Compared to the inflation report released a month earlier, annual levels eased just a tad for energy while prices ticked a percent higher for food. Continue reading U.S. Consumer Price Gains Slow in July; Annual Inflation Remains Near 13-Year High →

For a second straight instance, the annual pace of United States inflation ran the quickest in nearly 13 years, according to government data released Tuesday, July 13.

Food and energy prices maintained higher-than-desired increases from a month and a year earlier. Annual core inflation, which discounts both, posted its highest rate since late 1991. And again, used car and truck prices showed drastic gains.

The question still remains on whether the pick-up in inflation is transitory due to circumstances related to the pandemic. Continue reading Annual Inflation and Consumer Prices in June Rise Most Since 2008 →

The cost of living in the United States jumped again in May, boosting the annual rate of inflation to an almost 13-year high, according to a government report released Thursday, June 10.

Inflation pressures increased across a broad range of goods and services last month — markedly strongly for a second straight month for used car and truck prices, although food and energy prices saw little to no change.

Longer term as compared to a year earlier, prices for food and energy continued to be robust. Core inflation, which discounts the pair, marked its highest annual rate in nearly three decades. The question remains unanswered on whether the spike in inflation is transitory due to the pandemic. Continue reading U.S. Inflation Hottest Annually Since August 2008; Consumer Prices in May Rise Strongly →

U.S. consumer prices surged in April and inflation over the past 12 months marched at the quickest pace in nearly 12 years, according to a government report released Wednesday, May 12.

American consumers paid more for a broad range of goods and services last month, highlighted by used car and truck prices which soared 10%. In a bit of a relief, the cost of energy retreated. Compared to a year ago when parts of the U.S. economy were in the earlier stages of pandemic-caused shutdowns, pricing hikes look more striking. Gasoline prices jumped nearly 50% year-over-year. Continue reading Inflation Marks Quickest Pace Since 2008; Consumer Prices Surge in April →

U.S. inflation over the past year registered at a more than two-and-a-half-year high and consumer prices in March posted their biggest increase in more than eight and a half years, according to a government report released Tuesday, April 13.

Energy prices compared to a year ago increased for a second time following 11 consecutive declines. The over 13% surge is obviously significant. Then again, year-over-year pricing changes for many items, like energy, is somewhat skewed as consumer spending was impacted significantly in March 2020 due to the pandemic and resulting shutdowns. Continue reading U.S. Inflation Hits 2 1/2-Year High; Consumer Prices in March Log Biggest Gain in 8 1/2 Years →