The Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release the August 2026 Consumer Price Index report on September 11. Economists surveyed by FactSet expect headline inflation to reach 3.3% year-over-year, continuing a downward trend from the 4.2% peak recorded in May. In July, the headline figure was 3.4%.
Core CPI, excluding food and energy, is projected at 2.4% year-over-year and 0.2% month-over-month. This follows a 2.5% reading in July. Meanwhile, monthly headline inflation is forecast to rise by 0.4%, largely due to an increase in gasoline prices, compared to a 0.1% rise in the previous month.
The upcoming data release occurs five days before the Federal Reserve policy meeting scheduled for September 16. A 3.3% headline reading may influence the central bank's decision on interest rates. Market analysts note that digital assets, including Bitcoin, often show sensitivity to these macroeconomic indicators.
Investors are monitoring the report for the balance between shelter, energy, and services costs. Shelter expenses previously accounted for approximately two-thirds of the monthly increase in July. Changes in Fed policy expectations could impact stablecoin yields and DeFi lending rates relative to traditional markets.
