U.S. wholesale inflation climbs to 5.4% in August

Wholesale inflation picked up last month after cooling earlier this summer as higher oil and gas prices stemming from the Iran war are keeping costs elevated.

The Labor Department’s producer price index – which captures inflation before it reaches consumers – rose 5.4 per cent in August from a year ago, up from 4.7 per cent in July, the government said Thursday. Annual wholesale inflation peaked this year at 5.9 per cent in May after the Iran conflict raised energy costs. On a monthly basis, wholesale prices increased 0.4 per cent from July to August, after a 0.1 per cent increase the previous month.

Inflation has shown some signs of easing in recent months but is still high, frustrating consumers who are struggling with more expensive gas, groceries, clothing and other essentials. Oil prices globally topped US$100 a barrel this week on renewed fighting in the Middle East, while President Donald Trump has intensified a trade war with Canada, a sign tariffs still could push up costs. Rising prices pose a political problem for the Trump administration and Republicans running in the midterm elections.

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.2 per cent from July to August, the same as the previous month. Compared with a year ago, core prices rose 4.6 per cent, up from 4.2 per cent in July.

Thursday’s figures will come under particularly close scrutiny because they could help determine whether the Federal Reserve raises its short-term interest rate at a policy meeting next week. Data from the producer price index helps calculate the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, which will be released Sept. 30.