CPI Report Due Out on Friday: Will It Trigger a Fed Rate Hike?

The US consumer price index (CPI) report for August is due out on Friday morning and will be closely watched by investors as it will be the last piece of data the Federal Reserve receives before making its decision on interest rates next week.

According to the Dow Jones consensus, the report is expected to show that costs for all measured goods and services rose 0.4% last month, putting the annual inflation rate at 3.4%. However, excluding food and energy prices, the respective outlooks for core inflation are 0.2% and 2.4%.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the report at 8:30 a.m., and the results could have a significant impact on the stock market and interest rates.