The US core inflation rate, excluding volatile food and fuel costs, climbed to 2.9% year-over-year in May 2026, matching market forecasts and reaching its highest level since September 2025. Key drivers included shelter (+3.4%), transportation services (+4.1%), medical care services (+3.6%), and apparel (+4.8%), while used cars and trucks (-2.0%) and medical care commodities (-1.8%) declined. Month-over-month, core consumer prices rose 0.2% in May, following a 0.4% increase in April, slightly below expectations of 0.3%.