Inflation At Its Highest Since January 9/24/25

Summary

---

Your Money Minute: "Inflation At Its Highest Since January"

Host: Jessica Edinger (CNBC)
Date: September 24, 2025

---

Episode Overview

This quick "Your Money Minute" episode focuses on the recent spike in inflation, discussing its causes, impacts on consumers, and one area where prices have seen a slight break: gasoline. Jessica Edinger summarizes the latest statistics, provides economic context with insights from Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi, and gives listeners actionable awareness of how headline inflation is affecting daily life.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inflation Hits a 2025 High

• [00:00] Jessica Edinger:
  Outlines that inflation, as measured in August, has reached its highest annual pace since January 2025. "If you're feeling like your wallet is getting pinched, it pretty much is."
• The overall message: Prices have been increasing throughout the year and "some believe it's only going higher."

2. Why Is Inflation Rising?

• [00:17] Mark Zandi (Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist):
  Provides economic reasoning behind rising inflation:
  "It's really about the direction of travel. Inflation will continue to accelerate because of the higher tariffs and the immigration policy and the effect that's going to have on labor markets."
• Points to:
  • Higher tariffs increasing import costs
  • Shifts in immigration policy affecting labor markets, possibly reducing worker supply and increasing costs

3. The Job Market Is Slowing

• [00:26–00:33] Jessica Edinger & Mark Zandi:
  The discussion shifts to employment, highlighting weakening conditions:
  • Jessica: "On top of rising inflation, the job market is weakening."
  • Mark Zandi: "Obviously the economy is struggling. Job market is really now at a standstill. Job growth is flat at best."

4. Gas Prices: One Small Relief

• [00:41] Jessica Edinger:
  Points out that while prices are up generally, gasoline is a modest bright spot:
  • As of mid-September, the national average for a gallon of regular gas was about $3.20 (AAA figures)—"about a nickel a gallon cheaper" than this time last year.
  • But even so, prices are higher than January, when a gallon averaged $3.05 (EIA data).

5. Where to Get More Information

• Jessica encourages listeners to learn more about inflation and the economy at CNBC’s website.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jessica Edinger [00:00]:
  "If you're feeling like your wallet is getting pinched, it pretty much is."
• Mark Zandi [00:17]:
  "It's really about the direction of travel. Inflation will continue to accelerate because of the higher tariffs and the immigration policy and the effect that's going to have on labor markets."
• Mark Zandi [00:33]:
  "Obviously the economy is struggling. Job market is really now at a standstill. Job growth is flat at best."
• Jessica Edinger [00:41]:
  "There is one bright spot for your wallet that's gasoline...the national average for a gallon of regular was about $3.20, according to AAA. That's about a nickel a gallon cheaper than the same time last year."

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] Episode start, inflation headline
• [00:17] Mark Zandi: causes behind inflation's rise
• [00:26] Job market weakening, macroeconomic outlook
• [00:41] Snapshot on gas prices vs. inflation
• [00:52] Pointer to CNBC for further resources

---

Summary

In this brisk 60-second episode, Jessica Edinger lays out the concerning trend of rising inflation, reinforced by expert commentary from Mark Zandi. While consumers may find some relief at the pump, broader economic pressures—tied to global trade policies and immigration—are fueling price increases, even as the job market stalls. The episode underscores that these economic headwinds are tangible in Americans’ daily lives, positioning CNBC as a resource for further insight.

Transcript

[Jessica Edinger]

With a CNBC YOUR Money minute. I'm Jessica Edinger. If you're feeling like your wallet is getting pinched, it pretty much is. Inflation in August came in at its hottest pace on an annual basis since January. It's just been rising this year, and some believe it's only going higher.

[Mark Zandi]

It's really about the direction of travel. Inflation will continue to accelerate because of the higher tariffs and the immigration policy and the effect that's going to have on labor markets.

[Jessica Edinger]

Moody's analytics chief economist Mark Zandi on cnbc on top of rising inflation, the job market is weakening.

[Mark Zandi]

Obviously the economy is struggling. Job market is really now at a standstill. Job growth is flat at best.

[Jessica Edinger]

There is one bright spot for your wallet that's gasoline. As of mid September, the national average for a gallon of regular was about $3.20, according to AAA. That's about a nickel a gallon cheaper than the same time last year. But just like inflation's been rising this year, so have gas prices. Back in January, the Energy Information Administration says you are paying a at $3.05 a gallon. Lots more on inflation and the economy. @cnbc.com I'm Jessica Edinger. CNBC hey, Fidelity, what's it cost to invest with the Fidelity app? Start with as little as $1 with no account fees or trade commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs. Hmm. That's music to my ears. I can only talk.

[Fidelity Representative]

Investing involves risk, including risk of loss. Zero account fees apply to retail brokerage accounts only. Zero dollar commission to online US equity trades and ETFs and Retail Fidelity account sell order assessment fee not included. Some account types and securities excluded details of fidelity.com commissions Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC Member NYSE SIPC.