February CPI Report Anticipated Amid Inflation Concerns

According to Odaily, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release the February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report tonight at 20:30 (UTC+8). Market expectations suggest a moderation in inflation, though it remains above the Federal Reserve's target. FactSet consensus forecasts a 0.3% month-over-month increase in February's CPI, with the annual growth rate expected to decrease from January's 3.0% to 2.9%. If accurate, this would mark the first time since early 2023 that the rate falls below the 3% threshold. The core CPI is projected to rise by 0.3% month-over-month and 3.2% year-over-year. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration's tariffs and immigration restrictions have sparked new concerns about the inflation outlook. Economists at Wells Fargo noted, "The February CPI report may initially reflect the impact of tariffs, but this is just the beginning." The combination of trade tensions and supply chain complexities could undermine the Federal Reserve's confidence in the trend of declining inflation and delay the anticipated pace of interest rate cuts.