US inflation eases for 11th straight month
Consumer inflation in the United States cooled for an 11th straight month on an annual basis in May, the Labour Department said on Tuesday, in an encouraging sign for policymakers. The data comes as Federal Reserve officials are set to begin a two-day policy meeting on Tuesday, with the figures expected to have a bearing on their interest rate decision at the end of the gathering. While the US central bank has embarked on an aggressive campaign of rate hikes, lifting the benchmark lending rate 10 times in a row since early last year, it is widely anticipated to pause this week. Government figures released on Tuesday show that the consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of inflation, jumped 4.0 percent from a year ago in May, in line with analyst expectations and down from a 4.9 percent rise in April. This brings it to the lowest level in around two years, and less than half the peak rate of 9.1 percent in mid-2022. But analysts caution that Fed policymakers are likely looking for a more sustained trend of cooling growth before they end their cycle of rate hikes. On a monthly basis, CPI rose 0.1 percent in May, decelerating from 0.4 percent in April, the Labour Department said. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, consumer inflation was up 5.3 percent over the last 12 months. "The index for shelter was the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase, followed by an increase in the index for used cars and trucks," said the Labour Department in a statement. For now, halting further rate hikes will allow policymakers more time to assess the economic impact of existing increases, which come on top of recent pressures in the banking sector. (AFP)