Consumer Prices Rise 2.4% Annually in February, Aligning With Expectations Consumer prices increased by 2.4% year-over-year in February, matching expectations and providing a final inflation snapshot before an oil crisis linked to the Iran war disrupted market conditions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index rose 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the month, resulting in a 12-month inflation rate of 2.4%, consistent with the Dow Jones forecast. Excluding volatile food and energy components, core CPI inflation climbed 0.2% monthly, translating to a 2.5% annual rate, which also aligned with economists’ projections. This marked no change from January’s figures, indicating inflation remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target but showed no signs of acceleration. The data highlights the persistence of inflationary pressures despite recent economic slowdowns. While the annual inflation rate stayed steady, the Fed’s challenge persists as it balances controlling price growth with supporting economic expansion. Analysts noted that the figures offer a critical reference point ahead of potential disruptions from the oil market, which could further influence inflation trends in the coming months.#iran_war #federal_reserve #dow_jones #bureau_of_labor_statistics #oil_crisis
