<Anchor> The
U.S. inflation index has been reported to have risen the most in 31 years. Meanwhile, unemployment claims fell to their lowest level in 52 years, putting pressure on interest rates.
Correspondent Kim Soo-hyung reports from Washington.
<Reporter> The
U.S. Department of Commerce announced that the personal consumption expenditure price index rose 0.6% from the previous month and 5% from the same month last year, respectively.
The 5% increase is the biggest increase since November 1990, 31 years ago.
The Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index is the most important inflation indicator that the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, uses when determining interest rates.
As we approach the end of the year, which begins with Thanksgiving, American consumption, which was suppressed by the corona virus, is reviving, and it is analyzed that prices have skyrocketed as supply chain disruptions around the world are added.
[Cullen/American Retail Association: (Consumption growth) is not only a historic trend, but also caused by concerns that supply chain issues may be out of stock.]
Last week, Americans claimed unemployment benefits at 190,000, a 52-year low. 9,000 were counted.
Even just before the coronavirus crisis, the number of U.S. unemployment claims exceeded 200,000, which is less than that.
As the Fed emphasized prudent monetary policy to achieve a job recovery despite rising inflation, this trend is likely to put pressure on monetary authorities to raise interest rates.