Inflation rose as expected in July, according to a Labor Department report Wednesday that is likely to keep an interest rate cut on the table in September.
The consumer price index, a broad-based measure of prices for goods and services, increased 0.2% for the month, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 2.9%. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for respective readings of 0.2% and 3%.
Excluding food and energy, core CPI came in at a 0.2% monthly increase and a 3.2% annual rate, meeting expectations.
See the Consumer Price Index Summary Here