Consumer Price Index: Inflation At 2.4% In January, Lower Than Expected
Seeking Alpha
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Inflation continued its downward trend in January, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by 2.4% year-over-year—a significant drop from December's 2.7%. This marks the third consecutive month of cooling inflation, aligning with forecasts and signaling a potential shift in the economic landscape. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, also saw a slight decline, settling at 2.5% year-over-year compared to December's 2.6%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.2%, slightly below expectations of 0.3%, while core CPI rose by 0.3%, as projected.
This moderation in inflation reflects broader economic dynamics. The Federal Reserve has been closely monitoring these figures, with policymakers signaling a cautious approach to interest rates amid the slowdown. Slower price growth could provide some relief for consumers and businesses, easing pressures on household budgets and corporate pricing strategies. However, the persistent yet contained nature of inflation suggests that prices are still rising, albeit at a more manageable pace.
For financial markets and investors, this shift in inflation trends has
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Originally published on Seeking Alpha on 2/13/2026