The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, showed a slight deceleration in November 2024. The core PCE, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.1% month-over-month, lower than October’s 0.3% increase and below economists’ expectations of 0.2%. On an annual basis, core PCE remained steady at 2.8%, while overall PCE increased to 2.4% from 2.3% in October, both figures coming in below forecasts. This data suggests progress in the Fed’s battle against inflation, though price increases remain above the central bank’s 2% target.