February CPI Confirms Cooling Inflation While Energy Markets Spike on Middle East Conflict ![]()
Image source: BLS via X. Food prices climbed 0.4% in February, with grocery prices rising 0.5% and restaurant prices up 0.3%. Within groceries, fruits and vegetables jumped 1.4% while dairy prices fell 0.6%. Energy costs also rebounded modestly, increasing 0.6% month over month as gasoline prices rose 0.8%, though gasoline remains down more than 5% compared with a year earlier.
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CME’s Fedwatch tool as of March 11, 2026. ![]()
Precious metals prices at Wall Street’s open at 9:30 a.m. EST on March 11, 2026. FAQ What did the February 2026 CPI report show about U.S. inflation? U.S. inflation held steady at 2.4% year over year in February 2026, matching January and economist forecasts. How did the stock market react to the February CPI release? U.S. equities opened slightly lower in early trading as investors weighed the inflation data alongside rising geopolitical tensions. What role did energy prices play in the inflation report? Energy prices rose 0.6% in February, though the data was recorded before the latest spike in oil prices tied to Middle East tensions. What could the CPI data mean for Federal Reserve policy? The report supports expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady at its March meeting while monitoring future inflation trends. 
