WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve rose in August, boosted mainly by higher gas prices. Friday's report from the Commerce Department showed that prices rose 0.4% from July to August, up from just 0.2% the previous month. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, though, “core” inflation rose by the smallest amount in nearly three years, evidence that inflation pressures continue to ease. Compared with a year earlier, overall prices rose 3.5% in August, slightly higher than the 3.4% increase in July. The inflation gauge that was issued Thursday, called the personal consumption expenditures price index, is separate from the better-known consumer price index.

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