The US core inflation rate, excluding volatile food and fuel costs, fell to 2.6% in June 2026 from a seven-month high of 2.9% in May and below the expected 2.8%. The heavyweight shelter index increased 3.3%, down slightly from a 3.4% rise in May. Other indexes with notable increases included airline fares (+26.5%), medical care (+2%), recreation (+2.8%), and household furnishings and operations (+2.5%). Month-over-month, core consumer prices were flat, after a 0.2% increase in May and undershooting market estimates of a 0.2% rise.