Inflation rises 2.9% in July, less than expected

Inflation fell in July to the lowest level in more than three years, a welcome sign for the Federal Reserve even as prices remained uncomfortably high for millions of Americans.

Inflation unexpectedly fell to 3% in June

The consumer price index (CPI), a broad measure of how much everyday goods like gasoline, groceries and rent cost, dropped 0.1% in June from the previous month. It marked the first monthly decline since May 2020.

U.S. unemployment rate rises to 4.1% with 206,000 jobs added in June

U.S. employers added 206,000 jobs in June, exceeding expectations, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.1%, while April and May job data was revised down, average hourly earnings increased by 3.9%, and hiring was strong in government, social assistance, and health care, influencing potential Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Biden releasing 1M oil barrels to combat summer gas prices

In an effort to lower gas prices ahead of the busy summer travel season, the Biden administration announced the release of 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve established after Superstorm Sandy.