US Consumer Prices Rise 0.1% in July, Annual Inflation at 3.4%
Listen to the story
Prices in the United States went up a little in July. They rose by 0.1%. This was what experts thought would happen.
The annual rate of price rises is now 3.4%. This number shows how much prices grew in one year.
Experts also look at core inflation. This does not count food and fuel prices. Core inflation was low in July. This is good news.
The Fed is the US central bank. It watches prices closely. Low core inflation makes things easier for the Fed.
After the news came out, stock markets moved in different directions. Some went up, some went down.
News about AI companies and their profits also affected the stock market that day.
Vocabulary15 words
- consumer prices
- the cost of things people buy every day
- annual rate
- how much something changes in one year
- inflation
- when prices go up over time
- core inflation
- price changes without food and fuel
- the Fed
- the main bank that controls US money
- stock markets
- places where people buy and sell company shares
- AI companies
- businesses that build smart computer programs
- expected
- thought to happen before it happens
- subdued
- calm; not too high or too strong
- pressure
- a strong need to do something
- earnings
- money a company makes
- mixed
- some good, some bad; not all the same
- report
- a written or spoken piece of information
- data
- facts and numbers
- as expected
- just like people thought before
Quiz
Answer key
1. 0.1% 2. 3.4% 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Prices in the United States went up a little in July. They rose by _____.
The annual rate of price rises is now _____.
Experts also look at _____. This does not count food and fuel prices.
Core inflation was _____ in July. This is good news.
The _____ is the US central bank. It watches prices closely.
After the news came out, _____ moved in different directions.
News about _____ and their profits also affected the stock market that day.
More Business stories
Next story · Easy
Young People in Guernsey Want Better Jobs and Homes