The last batch of inflation news that Federal Reserve officials will see before their meeting next week is in, and none of it is very good.

Key Points

  • Commerce Department indexes that the Fed relies on heavily for inflation signals showed prices continuing to climb at a rate still considerably higher than the 2% annual goal.
  • The stubborn inflation data raised several ominous specters, namely that the Fed may have to keep rates elevated for longer or even have to hike at some point.
  • Thus far, the economy has managed to avoid broader damage from the inflation problem, though there are some notable cracks.