U.S. Inflation and Federal Reserve Policy

U.S. diesel has topped $5 a gallon for the first time since December 2022, with AAA putting the national average at about $5.04 — the highest in four years and a roughly 38% one‑month increase versus about a 30% rise in regular gasoline. Analysts warn that rising diesel, which drives transport costs for heavy, low‑value goods, is likely to feed into core inflation and complicate the Federal Reserve’s ability to “look through” the energy shock.