The Week in Review: June 15, 2026
The Latest on Inflation
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provided investors with a modest sense of relief when it was released last Wednesday.
According to the BLS, headline CPI rose 0.5% in May and is up 4.2% compared to a year ago, accelerating from
April’s 3.8% annual increase. The more encouraging news came from core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories.
Core prices rose just 0.2% in May, helping to ease some inflation concerns. On an annual basis, core CPI increased 2.9%, ticking up slightly from 2.8% in April.
Rising energy and gasoline prices are the primary culprits behind the significant rise in the CPI. Let’s review Figure 1. Energy prices have surged. Outside of energy, price increases are somewhat elevated, but we aren't seeing significant pressures in food or core inflation—all items except food and energy.
It’s not ideal, but for the most part, what’s happened to gasoline has yet to bleed into most everyday items.
Meanwhile, here’s one more look at two broad categories in the CPI. Shelter (housing, rent) is rising at about the rate it was in the late 2010s. But that’s not the case for core consumer goods—excluding food and energy—and services (excluding housing). They remain somewhat elevated.
Market summary
Two FOR THE ROAD
The average American retiree has just $288,700 saved, yet retirees themselves say you need $823,800 to retire comfortably in 2026. That's a gap of over half a million dollars, and 29% of current retirees report having nothing saved at all. - Clever Real Estate, January 14, 2026
"You must gain control over your money, or the lack of it will forever control you." ~ Dave Ramsey"
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Warmest Regards,
Bill Stordahl, CFP®
Managing Director
Stordahl Capital Management
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