Where The Wild Prices Are…Inflation Update

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) edged upward by 0.4 percent, a notch above January’s rise, based on the CPY survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This measure, a barometer of the urban dweller’s cost of living, mirrored the broader passage of time with a 3.2 percent ascent over the past year, unadjusted for the season’s whims.

The fabric of February’s data was woven with familiar and fresh threads. Shelter, steadfast in its significance, rose alongside gasoline, their combined forces accounting for over sixty percent of the month’s increase. Energy surged by 2.3 percent, igniting all its components in a shared glow, while food remained constant, a still point in the turning world. Beyond the sustenance and warmth of food and energy, other realms too felt the touch of change: shelter, airline fares, and apparel among them, each contributing their verse to the month’s narrative. Yet, not all moved upward; some, like personal care and household furnishings, receded slightly, a reminder of the constant ebb and flow. Through it all, the landscape of costs painted a picture of growth over the past year, with the all-items index rising by 3.2 percent and its counterpart excluding food and energy, marking a 3.8 percent climb, a testament to the underlying price stickiness.

• February’s CPI-U increased by 0.4 percent, slightly higher than January’s 0.3 percent rise.
• The 12-month period ending in February saw the all items index rise by 3.2 percent.
• Shelter and gasoline significantly contributed to February’s CPI increase.
• The energy index experienced a notable rise of 2.3 percent in February.
• The all-items index, excluding food and energy, grew by 3.8 percent over the last 12 months.