Not only did U.S. inflation cool in August, but Americans paid less for some goods and services -- much less in several cases. The broader figures caught some analysts off guard, who were largely expecting steady underlying inflation amid a healthy economic expansion and cost pressures at businesses that should boost costs for consumers. Economists such as JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Michael Feroli said price gains remain on an upward track despite the latest Labor Department figures released Thursday. While August’s slowdown may be a blip -- and several quirks were in typically volatile or hard-to-measure categories -- ... (full story)