13.01.2026 18:23
In the U.S., the December CPI came in at a monthly increase of 0.3% and an annual increase of 2.7%, in line with expectations; the rise was driven by housing and food. Following the data, gold tested above $4,620, while silver rose above $87.
While the inflation data for December in the US was announced in line with expectations, purchases following the data accelerated the rise in gold and silver, and prices tested record levels.
CPI INCREASED BY 0.3% MONTHLY AND 2.7% ANNUALLY
The BLS, under the US Department of Labor, announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increased by 0.3% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis. The index rose by 2.7% over the last 12 months.
HOUSING AND FOOD STOOD OUT, ENERGY INCREASED
It was noted that the largest impact on the monthly increase came from the housing (shelter) index, which rose by 0.4%. The food index increased by 0.7% in December, while both the food consumed at home and the food consumed away from home indices rose by 0.7% during the same period. The energy index also increased by 0.3% in December.
SHARP DROP IN EGGS
Among food items, "other foods" increased by 1.6%, cereals and baked goods by 0.6%, fruits and vegetables by 0.5%, non-alcoholic beverages by 0.4%, and dairy products by 0.9%; while the index for meat, poultry, fish, and eggs decreased by 0.2%. According to BLS data, egg prices fell by 8.2% in December.
NATURAL GAS UP, GASOLINE DOWN IN ENERGY
In the energy group, natural gas prices increased by 4.4% in December, while the gasoline index decreased by 0.5%; the electricity index also fell by 0.1%.
CORE INFLATION INCREASED BY 0.2%
Excluding food and energy, the core CPI (all items less food and energy) rose by 0.2% in December. During the same period, the housing index increased by 0.4%, while the rent and "owner's equivalent rent" items rose by 0.3% each. The hotel accommodation index recorded an increase of 2.9%, while the recreation index drew attention with a rise of 1.2%.
RECORD ATTEMPT IN GOLD AND SILVER AFTER DATA
Following the inflation data coming in line with expectations, demand for safe havens accelerated purchases in gold and silver. In the markets, the price of gold per ounce rose above $4,620, testing the record area, while silver also saw levels above $87, heading towards new peak levels.