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Consumer prices in the United States soared to the highest level in 40 years, a survey was found. Inflation is getting worse, and rumors of a rate hike in March are gaining momentum.
Correspondent Kim Jong-won reports from New York.
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Consumer prices in the US surged 7% last month compared to the same period a year ago, recording the largest price increase in 40 years since June 1982.
However, compared to the 0.8% increase in October-November, the inflation rate rose only 0.5% in November-December, indicating that the monthly increase rate has slowed slightly compared to a month ago.
However, experts say that this is only an optical illusion, and the price of automobiles and housing, especially necessities such as food, is on the rise.
[Greg McBride / Senior Analyst, Bankrate.com: Food prices have risen more modestly. A closer look at the data shows that the rise in core prices has not slowed. The monthly growth rate is still rising, and the core price rise is also rising the most in 31 years.]
In fact, it was found that used car and food prices led the inflation last month. It is known that supply chain disruptions have fueled inflation.
As inflation continues to rise, rumors of a March rate hike by the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, are also gaining momentum.
Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange closed higher today (13th), despite record inflation, but not far from market expectations.