Cost pressures are mounting for American households, with the latest U.S. inflation gauge up 2.6% in June after new tariffs drove prices higher. Despite this, retail sales rebounded 0.6% in June following a mild dip in May, though spending habits are marked by greater caution.
The housing market shows another side of this complex picture. Home sales fell to an annual rate of 3.89 million units while the median home price climbed to a record $426,000, tightening affordability and cooling buyer demand.
