Updated: 11-Mar-26 08:56 ET
| February CPI |
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| Updated: 11-Mar-26 08:56 ET |
Highlights
- Total CPI increased 0.3% month-over-month in February (Briefing.com consensus 0.3%) and was up 2.4% year-over-year, versus 2.4% for the 12 months ending in January.
- Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.2% month-over-month (Briefing.com consensus 0.2%) and was up 2.5% year-over-year, versus 2.5% for the 12 months ending in January.
Key Factors
- The food index was up 0.4% month-over-month and up 3.1% year-over-year.
- The energy index was up 0.6% month-over-month and up 0.5% year-over-year.
- The shelter index was up 0.2% month-over-month and up 3.0% year-over-year.
- The used cars and trucks index was down 0.4% month-over-month and down 3.2% year-over-year.
- The apparel index was up 1.3% month-over-month and up 2.5% year-over-year.
- The services index was up 3.1% year-over-year (services less rent of shelter was up 3.3% year-over-year).
- The all items index less food, shelter, and energy was up 2.1% year-over-year.
Big Picture
- The key takeaway from the report is that it matched expectations at the headline and core levels, which is mildly positive since the recent surge in energy prices will increase the market's expectations for a hotter reading in March.
| Category | FEB | JAN | DEC | NOV | OCT |
| All Items | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% | -- | -- |
| Food and Beverages | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.6% | -- | -- |
| Housing | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.4% | -- | -- |
| Equivalent Rent | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | -- | -- |
| Apparel | 1.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | -- | -- |
| Transportation | 0.2% | -0.3% | 0.0% | -- | -- |
| Vehicles | -0.1% | -0.5% | -0.3% | -- | -- |
| Motor Fuel | 0.8% | -3.2% | -0.3% | 2.7% | -1.3% |
| Medical Care | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.4% | -- | -- |
| Educ and Commun | -0.2% | 0.4% | -0.9% | -- | -- |
| Special Indices | |||||
| Core | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% | -- | -- |
| Energy | 0.6% | -1.5% | 0.3% | -- | -- |
| Services | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.3% | -- | -- |
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