US core CPI rose 0.3% month-on-month in August, above the 0.2% forecast; headline CPI was 3.4% year-on-year and core 2.4%. Markets put about a 90% chance on a Fed hike at the 15-16 September meeting. For a Thai SME this is indirect: a stronger US rate path can pull the baht and Thai borrowing costs over time, and US petrol prices rose 3.9% in the month. No action is needed yet; watch the baht and loan rate quotes if you have floating-rate debt or US-linked imports.