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by fennecfoxen 1362 days ago
Yeah, this isn't just a one-time transient price spike that happened months ago. August fuel prices fell a lot (10.6%), a gift! — but core inflation erased all that progress, with a 0.1% month-to-month rise in the CPI overall. Food's up 0.8% in a month. Rent was up 0.7%. Cars were up 0.8%.

We probably can't rely on fuel prices falling 10% again next month.

2 comments

The problem with core inflation is that it is a lagging indicator. Rent especially. If a landlord increases the rent on Jan 1 but your contract rolls over on Dec 1 that increase shows up in the December numbers.

And yes gas has already fallen 10% in September. From $4.087 in August to $3.677 today.

> fuel prices falling 10% again next month.

Mid-term elections are approaching and gas pump prices are an easy talking point. With SPR releases, why won't USA fuel prices drop?

Okay, you've convinced me. Now how about the month after that?
No idea. Which circus tribe will be in charge?
Probably not the one who can make the SPR never run out.