While the consumer price index is more commonly known, the Fed relies heavily on the PCE for deciding its stance on monetary policy. At the moment, the Fed is keeping interest rates high – and borrowing costs for consumers elevated – as it wants to see more data on how President Donald Trump’s import tariffs are affecting inflation.

On a monthly basis, prices on consumer goods and services increased 0.1% in May. Core PCE inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, came in at 2.

Most economists and policymakers are bracing for price pressures to intensify this summer because of President Trump’s tariffs.