December Consumer Costs Remain Elevated at 2.7% Annual Rate, Maintaining Recent Economic Pressures
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Federal data released Tuesday revealed that consumer expenses climbed 2.7% during December compared to the same month in 2023, matching November's pace and meeting analyst predictions. The monthly increase of 0.3% demonstrated continued upward cost pressures affecting American households throughout the year, while core inflation excluding food and energy registered a slightly lower 2.6% annual gain.
December Inflation Data Shows Persistent Price Pressures for American Families
The latest government data reveals that consumer costs continued their steady climb through December, maintaining pressure on household budgets nationwide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, monthly price increases reached three-tenths of a percent, matching September's pace and confirming economists' predictions.
The annual inflation rate held at two-point-seven percent for the second consecutive month, signaling that price growth remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's two percent target. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, showed a slightly more encouraging two-point-six percent annual increase.
These figures cap a challenging year for American consumers, particularly Latino families who often dedicate larger portions of their income to essential expenses like housing and food. The persistent inflation creates additional economic uncertainty as the new administration prepares policy responses.
While energy prices provided some relief by declining, housing and food costs continued applying upward pressure on family budgets, offsetting those gains and keeping overall price growth elevated throughout the final month of twenty twenty-five.