US Core PCE Rises 0.2% as Consumer Spending Accelerates in August
The personal consumption expenditures price index increased 0.3% in August from a month earlier, while the core measure excluding food and energy rose 0.2%. US consumer spending grew at its fastest pace in more than a year, according to Bloomberg, as the economy continued to expand amid persistent inflation.
The personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.3% in August from the previous month, according to figures reported by Bloomberg. The index is the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation.
Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.2% in August. The core measure is used to assess price changes without those two categories.
US consumer spending also increased in August at its fastest pace in more than a year, Bloomberg reported. The spending growth helped power the economy through persistent inflation.
Bloomberg Television’s Michael McKee reported on the figures. The supplied report does not provide additional details on the spending increase or explain how the data may affect Federal Reserve policy.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What categories accounted for the acceleration in consumer spending during August?
How broadly was the spending increase distributed across households and income groups?
What conditions would cause consumers to reduce spending despite persistent inflation?
How might the inflation figures affect future Federal Reserve decisions?
Which parts of the reported data could be revised in later releases?
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GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · SEPTEMBER 2026