Inflation Slows in February as CPI Rate Eases to 6%
The closely watched gauge of inflation, released Tuesday morning, showed that annual price increases continued to slow in February, according to the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) for February, a key indicator of goods and services inflation, is likely to show that price growth continued to moderate last month, albeit just slightly from January’s level.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate decreased to 6%, lower than the 6.4% it was in February, as predicted.[0] The month saw an increase of 0.4% in the consumer price index.[1] The annual inflation rate of 6% was the smallest yearly price increase since September 2021.[1] January saw a 6.4 percent decline, and this marks the eighth month in a row that the rate has decreased since its peak of 9.1 percent in June.[2]
In February, the rate of inflation decelerated, leading to a decrease in prices; however, the report was overshadowed by a banking crisis prior to the convening of the Federal Reserve next week.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) excluding food and energy costs rose 0.5 percent in February and 5.5 percent in the last 12 months, which is higher than the Federal Reserve would like. They are currently trying to bring inflation back to the 2 percent mark annually.[1] Core Consumer Price Index (CPI), omitting unstable food and energy prices, increased 5.5% in February 2022 compared to February of the previous year. Economists surveyed predicted a decrease in growth from 5.6% to 5.5%.[3]
According to the BLS, the shelter index, which measures housing costs, saw an 8.1% year-on-year rise, and was the main reason for the annual increase in general prices. Price increases for food, recreation, and household items were also a factor.[4] The index of shelter costs, including rent, went up sharply in February, increasing by 0.8%, compared to the 0.7% rise recorded in January.
The core Consumer Price Index (CPI), not including food and energy, increased by 0.5% compared to January, surpassing the predicted 0.4 The annual core inflation rate remained at 5.5%, contrary to expectations of 5.4%.[5] In September, the core CPI inflation rate reached its highest level in 40 years, at 6.6%.[5]
In February, India's retail inflation stayed above the 6% limit put forward by the central bank for the second month in a row, registering a rate of 6.44%, barely varying from 6%.[6]
0. “Retail Inflation Falls Marginally To 6.4% In February From 6.5% In January” NDTV Profit, 13 Mar. 2023, https://www.ndtv.com/business/retail-inflation-falls-to-6-4-in-february-3857322
1. “Consumer prices rose 6 percent annually in February as inflation eased” The Hill, 14 Mar. 2023, https://thehill.com/business/3899251-consumer-prices-rose-6-percent-annually-in-february-as-inflation-eased/
2. “Stocks Volatile As CPI Inflation Meets Expectations, Attention Shifts To The Fed's Next Move – SPDR S&P 5” Benzinga, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31338742/stocks-volatile-as-cpi-inflation-meets-expectations-attention-shifts-to-the-feds-next-move
3. “US CPI rose 6.0% in February, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics” Business Insider, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-price-growth-us-cpi-february-2023-3
4. “Inflation rose 6% in February as Fed mulls more rate hikes amid bank chaos” New York Post , 14 Mar. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/03/14/inflation-rose-6-in-february-as-fed-mulls-more-rate-hikes
5. “CPI Inflation Rate Still Pretty Hot, But Fed May Pause” Investor's Business Daily, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.investors.com/news/economy/cpi-inflation-rate-still-pretty-hot-but-fed-may-pause-sp-500-futures-rise/
6. “Retail inflation remains virtually unchanged at 6.44% in February” The Hindu, 13 Mar. 2023, https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/retail-inflation-virtually-remains-unchanged-at-644-in-february/article66614658.ece
