For example, both Walmart (NYSE:WMT) and Target (NYSE:TGT) noted how the increase in freight costs due to higher fuel costs are crimping their profit margins. Source: Deemerwha studio / Shutterstock U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expects high inflation to remain with us at least through the end of the year. Real wages are down 3% from a year ago, meaning the average worker feels a little more poor even though their bigger paycheck shows differently.