Prices had been increasing for 3.5 years before they finally broke to the downside last month. During the long period of increases, many consumers anticipated lower prices and government officials and economists raised alarm bells about the potential economic consequences, such as weak consumer spending and high levels of household debt. In the end, the combination of rising interest rates, changes in global trade, and worries about a possible economic downturn finally led to the long-awaited reductions in prices.
Prices finally fell last month after 3.5 years of increases
