Annual rate falls to 6.8% largely driven by lower energy prices, according to Office for National Statistics
Corporate balance sheets face pressure from rising interest costs
Housing markets have settled down in recent months with prices moderating
Core measures of inflation eased slightly last month
But higher interest rates are weighing on economic activities dependent on credit
An increase in July's report probably wouldn't be a complete surprise to the Bank of Canada
Earnings to remain under pressure as the sector faces slow growth and elevated costs
By all measures, inflation has cooled over the past year, moving closer to the Fed’s 2% target level but still remaining persistently above it
Thursday's report is the first of two CPI numbers Fed policymakers will see before their next meeting
Outside tech layoffs early this year, companies have mostly been retaining workers