The annual inflation rate in the US is expected to rise to 4.2% in May 2026, marking its highest level since April 2023, from 3.8% in April. This would represent the third consecutive monthly acceleration in headline inflation, driven largely by higher gasoline prices following the energy shock triggered by the conflict with Iran. However, the broader pass-through to consumer prices is expected to remain relatively limited. On a monthly basis, consumer prices are projected to increase by 0.5% in May, following a 0.6% rise in April. Gasoline prices likely went up around 9%, but the fading impact of a one-off adjustment to rent data should have a moderating effect on inflation. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is expected to edge up to 2.9% year-on-year, a fresh-high since September 2025, from 2.8% in April. On a monthly basis, core consumer prices are estimated to have risen by 0.3%, after increasing 0.4% in the previous month.

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