Consumer prices rose 0.2 percent in February and 2.8 percent over twelve months. The reading was cooler than January, though shelter and other services continued to draw attention.
Month-to-month readings bounce
Seasonal patterns and volatile categories can make adjacent releases look very different.
Annual comparisons change their base
The year-over-year rate depends on which old month drops out, not only on the newest observation.
Household inflation remained personal
A national average could not capture the exact mix of rent, food, transportation, and care in one budget.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, February 2025.