US CPI report for August 2026 shows inflation cooling for third straight month

August CPI data indicates inflation held at 3.4%, exceeding expectations. While some reports highlight that core CPI beat forecasts, challenging the Fed's disinflation strategy amid volatile energy prices, other data suggests inflation cooled for a third straight month. These conflicting signals arrive at a pivotal moment as the Federal Reserve prepares to meet next week to decide whether to hike, maintain, or ease interest rates, directly impacting risk asset positioning and crypto markets.