Daily Roundup of Key US Economic Data for Aug. 12

02:47 PM EDT, 08/12/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The consumer price index rose by 0.2% in July and was up 0.3% excluding food and energy prices, both matching expectations.

The year-over-year pace for overall CPI remained at 2.7% while the core measure was up 3.1% year-over-year after a 2.9% rate in the previous month.

Food prices were flat, while energy prices fell by 1.1%. Gasoline prices alone were down 2.2%.

Owners' equivalent rents rose by 0.3%, as did regular rents, accounting for about one-third of the overall gain.

Prices of new vehicles were flat after a 0.3% decline in the previous month and used vehicle prices rose by 0.5% after a 0.7% drop.

The National Federation of Independent Business' monthly sentiment index rose to 100.3 in July from 98.6 in June and 93.7 a year ago, reaching the highest point since February 2025. There were increases in six of the ten components, with a largest gain seen in the economic outlook.

"Optimism rose slightly in July with owners reporting more positive expectations on business conditions and expansion opportunities," NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said. "While uncertainty is still high, the next six months will hopefully offer business owners more clarity, especially as owners see the results of Congress making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent and the final shape of trade policy. Meanwhile, labor quality has become the top issue on Main Street again."

The US Treasury reported a $291.14 billion budget deficit in July, larger than the $243.74 billion deficit reported in July 2024 due to larger outlays partially offset by slightly higher receipts. Through the first ten months of the fiscal year, the deficit was $1.629 trillion, wider than a $1.517 trillion gap in the same period a year earlier.

Redbook reported that US same-store retail sales were up 5.7% year-over-year in the week ended Aug. 9, slower than a 6.5% gain in the prior week. Back-to-school sales have yet to make a significant impact but are expected to pick up as the month progresses.

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