Job openings in June remained near a record high, and unemployment at a record low, while evidence of a tightening labor market grew.

The core inflation rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, ticked higher in July, from 2.2% to 2.3%.

The steady rise in inflation in recent months has been expected by The Federal Reserve, and interest rate policy is expected to remain the same. The Fed has said it expects to raise rates once a quarter in 2018.