Updated 1w+ ago · Business
Wholesale Inflation Sparks Debate Over Fed Rate Hike.
U.S. wholesale prices rose 0.4% in August from July, matching forecasts. The annual rate accelerated to 5.4%, up from 4.7% in July.
- 5.4% annual PPI is 0.1 percentage point above economists' expectations.
- Core PPI, excluding food and energy, rose 4.6% year-over-year in August.
- Monthly core PPI rose 0.2%, slightly below the 0.3% forecast.
- Oil prices topped $100 a barrel this week amid renewed Middle East fighting.
Why it matters: The PPI data feeds into the Fed's preferred inflation gauge and arrives one week before the Sept. 16 policy meeting, where a rate increase is under consideration.
- Annual wholesale inflation peaked at 5.9% in May; the August reading remains well above the Fed's 2% target.
- Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has recently emphasized returning inflation to 2% as the central bank's priority.
How 45 sources split on this story
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45 sources · 64 articles · 42% Center coverage
Where they split: Coverage broadly agrees on the numbers; outlets diverge on whether to emphasize energy-war drivers or political pressure on the Fed and the Trump administration.
Center coverage, 19 sources: The center focuses on how the data compares with forecasts and what it signals for the Fed's upcoming rate decision.
CNBC1w+Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chartReuters1w+Cooling inflation strengthens bets on another Brazil rate cutCTV News1w+August inflation likely held at 3% as oil prices fell: economistsAssociated Press1w+US wholesale prices rise in latest sign of stubborn inflation as oil prices continue to climbAxios1w+Inflation stays hot in August as Iran war drives energy costs higherFinancial Times1w+US inflation held steady at 3.4% in August as high fuel prices persistIBTimes1w+Core Inflation Rose More Than Expected In August As Price Pressures Remain HighKSAT 12 San Antonio1w+Wholesale prices moved higher last month in latest sign of stubborn inflationMarketWatch1w+Wholesale inflation stirred up again by Iran war and high oil prices. What does it mean for the Fed?Newsweek1w+Inflation remains elevated as diesel prices hit record highNOTUS1w+U.S. Inflation Accelerates as Gas Prices Continue to Climb - The Washington SunPBS NewsHour1w+U.S. inflation accelerated last month as gas prices spiked, squeezing Americans' financesSemafor1w+US inflation stayed hot in August, boosting odds of a rate hikeThe Hill1w+Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil pricesUSA Today1w+Prices rose in August. Is it time to raise interest rates?WFAA Dallas1w+Rising gas prices fuel Dallas-area and national inflation pressure in AugustWGAL 81w+Inflation rises 3.4% in August as gasoline prices jump again, BLS saysWSAV Savannah1w+Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil pricesYahoo News1w+US consumer inflation picks up in August
Left coverage, 10 sources: The left emphasizes the Iran war as the driver of energy costs and highlights the burden on consumers struggling with higher prices for gas, groceries, and other essentials.
CNN1w+Wholesale inflation picked up in August, as energy costs kept risingThe Independent1w+Wholesale prices moved higher last month in latest sign of stubborn inflationCBS News1w+Fed rate hike in September is all but guaranteed after CPI report, economists sayMSNBC1w+Consumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persistABC News1w+Inflation holds steady at elevated level as Iran war pushes up gas pricesAl Jazeera1w+Rising petrol costs drive sharp inflation increase in US in AugustCommon Dreams1w+August CPI Report Shows Price Hikes Accelerating as Trump Brushes Off Working Families’ Affordability WorriesPolitical Wire1w+Inflation Was 3.4% in August with Gas Prices Still ElevatedThe Boston Globe1w+Inflation keeps pressure on Fed to raise key ratesThe Washington Post1w+Inflation remained stubbornly higher in August
Right coverage, 16 sources: The right stresses the political stakes for the Trump administration and Republicans in midterms, and notes Trump's pressure on the Fed to cut rather than raise rates.
Washington Examiner1w+Inflation and the midterm electionsNew York Post1w+Fed Chair Kevin Warsh under presssure to hike rates as inflation fails to cool: 'Time to put up or shut up'The Epoch Times1w+US Annual Inflation Rate Unchanged at 3.4 Percent in AugustBreitbart News1w+Core Prices Rise More Than Expected, Raising Odds of Fed HikeCitizen Free Press1w+CPI Inflation released for August.Newsmax1w+Inflation Still 3.4% Higher on Expensive Gas, FoodThe Washington Times1w+Prices climbed slightly in August as Fed weighs interest-rate increaseDaily Mail1w+American consumers are getting zero relief from inflation as price increases just keep on rolling and gasoline becomes even more expensiveJust the News1w+Consumer prices increase at annualized rate of 0.4% in August: Labor DepartmentNewsBusters1w+Annual Core Inflation Falls to Lowest Level in More Than Five YearsNTD1w+US Annual Inflation Rate Unchanged at 3.4 Percent in AugustRedState1w+Latest Inflation Report for August Shows Slight Rise Ahead of Next Fed MeetingThe American Conservative1w+U.S. Inflation Stayed Hot in August, Setting Up Rate Hike ShowdownThe Center Square1w+U.S. inflation remains at 3.4% in August reportThe National Pulse1w+Core Inflation Surges, Increasing Likelihood of Fed Rate Hike.ZeroHedge1w+Rate-Hike Odds Spike As Fuel Costs Push US Producer Prices Higher
What’s next: The Consumer Price Index releases Friday; forecasters expect inflation to hold roughly steady.
- The Fed's preferred inflation measure, the PCE index, is scheduled for release Sept. 30.
- Will Friday's CPI report tip the Fed toward a rate hike or give officials reason to hold?
- How much of the current wholesale inflation reflects temporary energy shocks versus broader price pressures?
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