U.S. Consumer prices rose less than expected in February, with the consumer price index (CPI) rising 0.2% month-on-month and 2.8% on an annual basis. According to a CNBC report, economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected headline CPI to come in at 0.

The consumer price index for the 25-county region that includes Long Island increased 4.2% last month compared with February 2024, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

U.S. consumer prices increased moderately in February as higher shelter costs were partially offset by cheaper airline fares, giving the Federal Reserve room to keep interest rates unchanged next week while monitoring the economic impact of a trade war.

Economists expect the latest inflation data to deliver some much-needed good news that price growth cooled a bit in February–though with higher tariffs on the horizon, the relief may be short-lived. T