--- title: "US wholesale inflation rises 5.4% as diesel costs surge" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/us-wholesale-inflation-rises-54-as-diesel-costs-surge" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-wholesale-inflation-rises-54-as-diesel-costs-surge" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/us-wholesale-inflation-rises-54-as-diesel-costs-surge.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-wholesale-inflation-rises-54-as-diesel-costs-surge" category: "Business & Economy" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-10T20:46:03.900Z" source_reported: "2026-09-10T20:00:24.000Z" updated: "2026-09-10T21:30:35.378Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 40 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-10T21:19:13.197Z" --- # US wholesale inflation rises 5.4% as diesel costs surge *Producer Price Index accelerates more than expected, increasing bets on Federal Reserve rate hike.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to Department of Labor and economists; one full report and 39 digests. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Most reports are digests; one full report provides detail on inflation drivers and Fed outlook. - Hype 40 of 100, lower is better. Headlines focus on inflation and Fed rate hikes, with some linking to market movements. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - US wholesale inflation, measured by the Producer Price Index (PPI), increased by 5.4% year-on-year in August, surpassing economists' forecasts. - Energy costs rose 4.2% in August, with diesel fuel prices surging 24.1% and reaching a national average of $5.98 per gallon. - The likelihood of a 25 basis points interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve at its next meeting is now estimated at nearly 70%, according to CMEGroup's FedWatch tool. - US stock markets opened lower as investors reacted to the inflation data and rising oil prices. US wholesale inflation accelerated in August, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) rising 5.4 per cent year-on-year. This figure exceeded economists' expectations of a 5.3 per cent increase and marked an acceleration from the 4.8 per cent rise recorded in July. On a monthly basis, the PPI increased by 0.4 per cent, in line with market expectations. The rise in wholesale prices was largely driven by increased energy costs, which jumped 4.2 per cent over the month. Diesel fuel prices saw a significant surge of 24.1 per cent, contributing to the national average price of diesel reaching US$5.98 per gallon. Other energy products such as gasoline and jet fuel also saw price increases. The economic data has influenced expectations for the Federal Reserve's next monetary policy meeting. The CMEGroup's FedWatch tool indicates a nearly 70 per cent probability of a 25 basis points interest rate hike. US stock markets opened lower on Thursday as investors processed the inflation figures and rising oil prices. ## Disagreement on the cause of rising prices Channel News Asia reported that rising prices at the pump were squeezing US households and businesses weeks ahead of key midterm elections, pressuring President Donald Trump's administration. It also stated that the US war with Iran continued and that rising costs for diesel used to fuel farm equipment added to expenses over the fall harvest season. South China Morning Post also noted that energy costs jumped amid the Iran war. However, the digests from El Diario and eldiariodechihuahua.mx, as well as reports from Free Malaysia Today News and The Straits Times, focused solely on the increase in diesel costs without mentioning the Iran war or its potential impact on prices. Similarly, the digest from Business Times and WTVB mentioned the escalating conflict in the Middle East pushing oil prices above US$100 a barrel but did not explicitly link it to the PPI figures. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the national average price of diesel fuel reaching US$5.98 per gallon. None of the right-rated digests mention the specific figure of 5.4 per cent for the year-on-year PPI increase, although they do state it was higher than expected. ## Who covered it Shares of the 23 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 9% (2) - Centre: 35% (8) - Right: 56% (13) 25 of 48 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-10T21:19:13.197Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 3 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-10T22:00:49.462Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report from Joe.My.God. led with the headline "Energy Costs Push Wholesale Inflation Rate To 5.4%", directly quoting the New York Post. It highlighted that wholesale inflation in August saw its strongest increase in three months, driven by higher energy costs. The report also noted that the Federal Reserve is weighing whether to raise interest rates next week to stem rising prices. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports generally focused on the headline inflation figures and the increased likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate hike. Reports from Channel News Asia, El Financiero, France24, South China Morning Post, and WTVB highlighted that US producer inflation topped expectations as diesel costs jumped. They also noted the 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI). Several centre-rated reports, including those from 24/7 Wall St., El Diario, and WTVB, specifically mentioned that the PPI came in hotter than expected, leading to increased odds of a Fed rate hike. The digest from El Diario and eldiariodechihuahua.mx stated the PPI increased 5.4% year-on-year, as reported by the Department of Labor. Channel News Asia and France24 noted that rising prices at the pump were squeezing US households and businesses ahead of midterm elections and pressuring President Donald Trump's administration. They also mentioned the US war with Iran as a factor. The digest from PerthNow and The West Australian reported that Wall Street slipped on producer inflation data, with US stocks opening lower as investors digested economic data that came in hotter than expected. ### Right - Right-rated reports primarily focused on the impact of inflation data on financial markets and the increased probability of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Headlines from Globo, El Financiero, The West Australian, and Business Times indicated that Wall Street opened lower due to inflation data and rising oil prices. Reports from Globo and Business Times mentioned that the Producer Price Index (PPI) came in hotter than expected, increasing bets on a Fed rate hike. The digest from Globo stated that high interest rate bets at the next Federal Reserve meeting pressured gold contracts, leading to a firm fall in the commodity. The digest from The Straits Times and Free Malaysia Today News reported that energy costs jumped by 4.2 per cent over August, notably boosted by the cost of diesel fuel. Clarin and La Nación, Grupo Nación, also highlighted the surge in diesel costs as the driver of wholesale inflation exceeding expectations, with Clarin noting the conflict with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz fueling transportation costs. Reformatorisch Dagblad noted persistent inflation concerns as the reason for Wall Street opening lower. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 5 - high: 13 - unknown: 29 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/business/3975559-rising-us-producer-prices-hint-at-interest-rate-hike) — Rising U.S. Producer Prices Hint at Interest Rate Hike - [aripaev.ee](https://aripaev.ee/borsiuudised/2026/09/10/usa-borsid-jatkasid-punases-nafta-kallines-ja-intressitousu-ootus-kasvas) — US Stock Markets Continued to Be in the Red: Oil Prices Rose and Expectations of Interest Rate Hikes Grew - [nafeza2world.com](https://nafeza2world.com/Iqtsad/2777754) — Economy: American Equities Are Retreating as Oil Rises and Interest-Raising Bets Increase. - [Livecoins](https://livecoins.com.br/dados-de-inflacao-dos-eua-aumentam-apostas-sobre-fed-subir-taxa-de-juros-na-proxima-reuniao-fazendo-bitcoin-operar-em-leve-queda) — U.S. Inflation Data Increases Fed Bets Raise Interest Rate at Next Meeting, Making Bitcoin Operate in Slight Fall - [Globo](https://valor.globo.com/financas/noticia/2026/09/10/ouro-cai-com-disparada-do-petroleo-e-apostas-de-alta-nos-juros-nos-eua.ghtml) — Gold Falls with Oil Shot and High Interest Bets in the U.S. - [El Financiero](https://elfinanciero.com.mx/mercados/2026/09/10/wall-street-hoy-10-de-septiembre-de-2026) — Wall Street Opens with Losses; Assimilates Inflation Data to the US Producer: How Does It Operate TODAY? - [InvestingCube](https://investingcube.com/indices/us-dollar-index-rises-after-hot-ppi-boosts-fed-rate-hike-bets) — US Dollar Index Rises After Hot PPI Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets - [La Nación, Grupo Nación](https://nacion.com/economia/inflacion-mayorista-en-estados-unidos-supera-las/W5EPDSKV5ZCCNEKG4TG3F5XZQM/story) — U.S. Wholesale Inflation Exceeds Expectations for High Diesel Price - [Forbes Brasil](https://forbes.com.br/geral/2026/09/operadores-elevam-apostas-em-alta-de-juros-pelo-fed-apos-dados-de-inflacao) — Operators Raise Bets in High Interests By the Fed After Inflation Data - [Blockonomi](https://blockonomi.com/probability-of-fed-rate-increase-surges-to-70-following-inflation-and-oil-price-surge) — Probability of Fed Rate Increase Surges to 70% Following Inflation and Oil Price Surge - [El Diario](https://diario.mx/estados-unidos/2026/sep/10/se-acelera-inflacion-mayorista-en-eu-por-costo-del-diesel-1137593.html) — U.S. Wholesale Inflation Accelerates by Diesel Cost - [eldiariodechihuahua.mx](https://eldiariodechihuahua.mx/economia/2026/sep/10/se-acelera-inflacion-mayorista-en-eu-por-costo-del-diesel-836270.html) — U.S. Wholesale Inflation Accelerates by Diesel Cost - [24/7 Wall St.](https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/09/10/fed-rate-hike-odds-rise-to-61-after-ppi-comes-in-hotter-than-expected) — Fed Rate Hike Odds Rise to 61% After PPI Comes in Hotter than Expected - [GV Wire](https://gvwire.com/2026/09/10/wall-street-slips-after-hotter-than-expected-producer-inflation-data) — Wall Street Slips After Hotter-Than-Expected Producer Inflation Data - [The West Australian](https://thewest.com.au/business/markets/wall-street-slips-on-producer-inflation-data-c-22853524) — Wall Street slips on producer inflation data - [PerthNow](https://perthnow.com.au/news/business/markets/wall-street-slips-on-producer-inflation-data-c-22853521) — Wall Street slips on producer inflation data - [Cryptocurrency information | Cryptocurrency News | Bitcoin News and Crypto Guide…](https://coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/dow-jones-today-drops-as-fed-rate-hike-bets-surge-to-70) — Dow Jones Today Drops As Fed Rate Hike Bets Surge To 70% - [El Comercio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/wall-street-abre-a-la-baja-por-la-inflacion-y-los-precios-de-la-energia-l-mercados-l-wall-street-l-ultimas-noticia) — Wall Street Opens Down by Inflation and Energy Prices - [moneytimes.com.br](https://moneytimes.com.br/apostas-em-alta-de-juros-pelo-fed-sobem-para-quase-70-inflacao-tera-palavra-final-jcav) — High Interest Bets by the Fed Go up to Almost 70%; Inflation Will Have the Final Word – Money Times - [DiarioBitcoin](https://diariobitcoin.com/estados-unidos/la-probabilidad-de-una-subida-de-tipos-de-la-fed-alcanza-70-antes-de-su-proxima-reunion) — The Probability of a Fed Rate Rise Reaches 70% Before Your Next Meeting - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-as-diesel-costs-jump) — US producer inflation tops expectations as diesel costs jump - [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20260910-us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-as-diesel-costs-jump) — US producer inflation tops expectations as diesel costs jump - [BitHub.pl](https://bithub.pl/typ/z-ostatniej-chwili-bitcoin-i-indeksy-nurkuja-po-danych-z-usa-inflacja-straszy-wall-street) — Breaking News: Bitcoin and Stocks Plunge After US Data. Is Inflation Scaring Wall Street? - [interactivebrokers.com](https://interactivebrokers.com/campus/traders-insight/securities/macro/producer-inflation-jumps-to-5-4-fuels-fed-hike-bets-updated) — Producer Inflation Jumps to 5.4%, Fuels Fed Hike Bets (UPDATED) - [Kitco NEWS](https://kitco.com/news/off-the-wire/2026-09-10/wall-st-set-lower-open-after-hotter-expected-producer-inflation-data) — Wall St set for lower open after hotter-than-expected producer inflation data - [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/10/us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-as-diesel-costs-jump) — US producer inflation tops expectations as diesel costs jump - [South China Morning Post](https://scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3367099/us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-energy-costs-jump-amid-iran-war) — US producer inflation tops expectations as energy costs jump amid Iran war - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/us-stocks/news/us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-as-diesel-costs-jump/articleshow/134014612.cms) — US producer inflation tops expectations as diesel costs jump - [Coin Edition](https://coinedition.com/xrp-drops-after-hot-ppi-triggers-heavy-long-liquidations) — XRP Drops After Hot PPI Triggers Heavy Long Liquidations - [Nieuws.nl](https://nieuws.nl/economie/wall-street-begint-lager-door-aanhoudende-inflatiezorgen) — Wall Street Opens Lower Due to Inflation Concerns and More Expensive Oil. - [welingelichtekringen.nl](https://welingelichtekringen.nl/economie/wall-street-begint-lager-door-aanhoudende-inflatiezorgen) — Wall Street Opens Lower Due to Persistent Inflation Concerns - [Reformatorisch Dagblad](https://rd.nl/a/wall-street-begint-lager-door-aanhoudende-inflatiezorgen) — Wall Street Opens Lower Due to Persistent Inflation Concerns - [Channel News Asia](https://channelnewsasia.com/world/us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-diesel-costs-jump-6376251) — US producer inflation tops expectations as diesel costs jump - [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/inflacion-productores-eu-supera-expectativas-agosto-aumento-diesel-20260910-832868.html) — Inflation to U.S. Producers Exceeds Expectations in August Due to Diesel Increase - [Business Times](https://businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/wall-st-opens-lower-after-hotter-expected-producer-inflation-data) — Wall St opens lower after hotter-than-expected producer inflation data - [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/inflacion-de-productores-en-eeuu-supera-las-expectativas-por-disparada-de-costos-del-diesel_0_6pQNDcojbn.html) — Inflation of Producers in the US Exceeds Expectations for High Diesel Costs - [coastaltvnews.com](https://coastaltvnews.com/business/us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-as-diesel-costs-jump/article_dc8ccedb-16de-5cc3-8ef9-fc1daef8dc4d.html) — US producer inflation tops expectations as diesel costs jump - [rtl.lu](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/us-producer-inflation-tops-expectations-as-diesel-costs-jump-335616710) — US producer inflation tops expectations as diesel costs jump - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/10/wall-st-opens-lower-after-hotter-than-expected-producer-inflation-data) — Wall St opens lower after hotter-than-expected producer inflation data - [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/09/energy-costs-push-wholesale-inflation-rate-to-5-4) — Energy Costs Push Wholesale Inflation Rate To 5.4% - [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/09/10/7191227/core-producer-inflation-cools-in-august-as-surging-energy-costs) — Core Producer Inflation Cools in August as Surging Energy Costs Drive Headline Prices Higher - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/10/business/wholesale-inflation-rises-by-strongest-increase-in-3-months) — Wholesale inflation rises by most in 3 months ahead of Fed interest-rate decision - [Cryptocurrency News | Cryptocurrency Prices | Market Cap](https://cryptocurrency.com.tr/10y-yield-surpasses-4-90-as-rising-fuel-costs-elevate-us-producer-prices-372851) — 10Y yield surpasses 4.90% as rising fuel costs elevate US producer prices - [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/10y-yield-surpasses-490-as-rising-fuel-costs-elevate-us-producer-prices) — 10Y yield surpasses 4.90% as rising fuel costs elevate US producer prices - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/0bae974bf3a7362c) — Rate-Hike Odds Jump As Fuel Costs Push US Producer Prices Higher - [TFTC](https://tftc.io/august-ppi-2026-diesel-surge-rate-hike-odds-fed) — Diesel Fuel +24% Pushes August PPI to +5.4% YoY, Rate-Hike Odds Rise - [Zero Hedge](https://zerohedge.com/markets/rate-hike-odds-jump-fuel-costs-push-us-producer-prices-higher) — Rate-Hike Odds Jump As Fuel Costs Push US Producer Prices Higher - [TokenPost](https://tokenpost.com/news/investing/23061) — Hot US Inflation Sends Gold and Bitcoin Lower as Fed Rate Hike Bets Surge ## Questions **What was the US wholesale inflation rate in August?** US wholesale inflation, measured by the Producer Price Index (PPI), rose by 5.4 per cent year-on-year in August. This figure exceeded economists' expectations and indicated an acceleration from the previous month. **What caused the increase in wholesale inflation?** The rise in wholesale inflation was primarily driven by a significant increase in energy costs, particularly a 24.1 per cent surge in the price of diesel fuel. This pushed the national average price of diesel to US$5.98 per gallon. **How is this data expected to affect Federal Reserve policy?** The hotter-than-expected inflation data has increased the likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike. According to the CMEGroup's FedWatch tool, there is nearly a 70 per cent probability of a 25 basis points rate increase at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. **How did US stock markets react to the news?** US stock markets opened lower on Thursday following the release of the producer price data. Investors were digesting the economic figures, which also coincided with rising oil prices. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/us-wholesale-inflation-rises-54-as-diesel-costs-surge. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US wholesale inflation rises 5.4% as diesel costs surge", https://mediabias.news/business/us-wholesale-inflation-rises-54-as-diesel-costs-surge