The core Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the price of goods and services excluding food and energy, increased 0.1% in August on a month-over-month basis. The big picture: The core CPI numbers released Tuesday showed a smaller gain than the .3% increase economists were expecting. It was the smallest increase since February 2021. The headline CPI figure that includes energy and food prices increased 5.3% in August compared to a year ago and 0.3% from July. Economists had predicted a 5.4% annual increase and 0.4% for the month. Between the lines: The energy index rose 2%, gasoline prices increased 2.8% and ... (full story)