Story perspectives

Inflation Slows to 2.4%, But Caution Remains

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The latest Consumer Price Index report shows inflation slowed to 2.4% in January, down from 2.7% in December.
Housing and food costs rose 0.2%, while energy prices fell 1.5%.
Core inflation, excluding food and energy, accelerated to 0.3%, the highest in five months.
Economists caution against declaring victory over inflation, noting tariff-sensitive price pressures and the report's relevance to U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s affordability platform ahead of midterm elections.

History

Historical Context

In 2018, the U.S. faced an inflation rate of 2.4%, prompting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates four times to combat rising costs, particularly in housing and food. This economic pressure challenged President Donald J. Trump, who focused on affordability amid tariff impacts, as these inflation trends could significantly influence voter sentiment in the upcoming midterm elections.

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Story summary

The latest Consumer Price Index report shows inflation slowed to 2.4% in January, down from 2.7% in December.
Housing and food costs rose 0.2%, while energy prices fell 1.5%.
Core inflation, excluding food and energy, accelerated to 0.3%, the highest in five months.
Economists caution against declaring victory over inflation, noting tariff-sensitive price pressures and the report's relevance to U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s affordability platform ahead of midterm elections.

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