12.03.2025 16:30
The eagerly awaited inflation data from the United States has finally been released. In the U.S., the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.2% month-on-month and 2.8% year-on-year in February, which was below expectations. Following the U.S. CPI data, expectations for at least two interest rate cuts from the Fed this year have increased in the money markets.
The U.S. stock markets experienced a significant crash after President Donald Trump did not dismiss concerns that the new tariffs he implemented would lead to inflation. Following this crash, inflation data gained even more importance. The eagerly awaited data has been released. In the U.S., consumer inflation for February came in lower than market expectations on both a monthly and annual basis.
INFLATION CAME IN BELOW EXPECTATIONS
According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, consumer prices increased by 2.8% in February compared to the same month last year. The market expectation was that consumer inflation, which was 3% the previous month, would decrease to 2.9%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices also fell short of analysts' predictions. Markets expected an increase of 0.3%, but the increase was 0.2%.
CORE INFLATION EXCLUDING FOOD AND ENERGY WAS 0.2% MONTHLY
Core inflation, calculated excluding food and energy, was reported at 0.2% monthly and 2.8% annually. Analysts had indicated that core inflation would show an increase of 0.3% monthly and 3.2% annually. In the country, energy prices increased by 0.2% monthly but decreased by 0.2% annually; food prices increased by 0.2% monthly and 2.6% annually. In February, real average weekly earnings showed an increase of 0.1%.