Inflation ran hotter than expected in February as high prices persist

Posted 44 days ago

From WWW.FOXBUSINESS.COM

Inflation unexpectedly ticked higher in February thanks to a jump in the cost of gasoline and rent, underscoring the challenge of taming price pressures within the economy.

The Labor Department said Tuesday that the consumer price index, a broad measure of the price of everyday goods including gasoline, groceries and rent, rose 0.4% in February from the previous month. Prices climbed 3.2% from the same time last year.

Both of those figures came in higher than the 0.3% monthly increase and 3.1% headline gain recorded in January.

Other parts of the report also indicated that inflation has been slow to retreat. Core prices, which exclude the more volatile measurements of food and energy, climbed 0.4%, as they did in January. It rose 3.8% annually. Both of those figures are slightly higher than estimates.

Altogether, the report indicates that while inflation has fallen considerably from a peak of 9.1%, it remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.

High inflation has created severe financial pressures for most U. S. households, which are forced to pay more for everyday necessities like food and rent. The burden is disproportionately borne by low-income Americans, whose already-stretched paychecks are heavily affected by price fluctuations.

Housing and gasoline costs were the biggest drivers of inflation last month, accounting for more than 60% of the total monthly increase.

Rent costs rose 0.4% for the month and are up 5.8% from the same time last year. Rising rents are concerning because higher housing costs most directly and acutely affect household budgets.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, surged 3.8% over the course of February. However, they remain down 3.9% when compared with the previous year.

Other price gains also proved persistent in January.

Food prices, a visceral reminder of inflation for many Americans, were unchanged over the course of the month. However, grocery prices are up 1% from the same time last year.... (Read more)












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