The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) for May rose 4.2% year-on-year, indicating that inflation concerns persist. According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on the 10th (Korean time), the May CPI increased by 4.2% compared to the same month last year. The core CPI, which excludes energy and food prices, also rose by 2.9%. The consumer price index is one of the key economic indicators used to assess inflation trends in the United States. This figure surpasses the year-on-year increase of 3.8% recorded for the April CPI, which was previously announced on May 12. As the upward trend in prices continues, expectations are growing that the benchmark interest rate will be frozen at its current level until the end of the year. In a recent Reuters survey of 102 economic experts conducted from the 4th to the 9th of this month regarding U.S. monetary policy, 72 respondents predicted that the benchmark interest rate would remain at its current level through the end of the year. Consequently, market attention is now focused on the direction of upcoming additional economic indicators. The U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for May is scheduled to be released on the 11th (Korean time), followed by the retail sales data for May on the 17th. Focus is now concentrated on how these subsequent indicators will influence the future direction of monetary policy.