Inflation spikes more than expected, hits new 40-year high

Inflation accelerated to a new four-decade high in June as the price of everyday necessities remains painfully high, exacerbating a financial strain for millions of Americans and worsening a political crisis for President Biden.

Another surge in oil prices drove up costs throughout the economy, according to data released Wednesday by the Labor Department.

The consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.3 percent in June and 9.1 percent over the past 12 months. Economists expected monthly inflation to hit roughly 1 percent in June after prices rose 1 percent in May, and 8.8 percent annually after reaching 8.6 percent that month.