• Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% in November, lower than forecasts.
• High costs persist, affecting consumer sentiment despite cooling inflation.
• Tariffs from the Trump administration contribute to ongoing price pressures.
• Political and economic factors complicate Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions.
• Delayed data release due to government shutdown raises concerns over accuracy.

The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicates that inflation rose at **an annual rate of 2.7% in November**, which is lower than economists' predictions of 3%. This marks a decrease from 3% recorded in September, suggesting a potential easing of price pressures. However, the report was delayed due to a **43-day government shutdown**, which also impeded the collection of data for October, thereby raising questions about the reliability of the current statistics, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and India Times.

Despite the reported cooling of inflation, many Americans are expressing **frustration over persistent high costs** for everyday essentials. A survey reveals that most adults have noted higher prices than usual for groceries, housing, and utilities. Approximately **half of Americans report difficulties affording holiday gifts**, reflecting the ongoing strain on household budgets. This continuing economic anxiety is compounded by the lack of significant wage growth, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.

Economists such as Diane Swonk from KPMG have highlighted **the potential distortion** of November's data due to disrupted government operations. She noted, “**The good news is that it’s cooling**,” although there is lingering uncertainty regarding the overall accuracy of the figures. High energy prices, up **4.2%**, and core inflation at **2.6%** (the lowest since March 2021) continue to amplify these economic concerns, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and India Times.

Additionally, the inflationary pressures are partially tied to import tariffs imposed during the Trump presidency, affecting prices across various consumer goods. These tariffs have had a less severe effect than feared initially, but they still add upward pressure on prices. Economist Kay Haigh from Goldman Sachs remarked on the **complexity of the current economic landscape**, indicating that the forthcoming December CPI data will be crucial for the Federal Reserve's policy decisions, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.