Inflation slows down in May – but no clear signals yet

May Inflation: A Softer Reading
The latest U.S. inflation report came in better than expected. Consumer prices (CPI) rose just 0.1% in May and 2.4% over the past year, matching forecasts. Core inflation (which excludes food and energy) also increased by only 0.1%, bringing the annual rate down to 2.8% — both lower than anticipated.
Gasoline, used cars, and clothing saw notable price drops, while services like housing and insurance continued to show moderate increases. Despite this progress, the Fed has yet to signal that a rate cut is coming anytime soon.
Market Takeaway:
Investors are still expecting the first rate cut to happen in September, while keeping an eye on the impact of tariffs and signs of a slowing economy.
Annual inflation dropped from 3.3% in May 2024 to 2.4% in May 2025, showing a clear slowdown in recent months.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.