Inflation Rose in February for Second Straight Month

Inflation rose for the second straight month in February. The Consumer Price Index increased 0.4% last month after rising 0.3% in January. Over the last 12 months, CPI increased 3.2%. Prices for shelter rose 0.4% in February, and prices for gasoline increased 3.8%. Combined, these two indexes contributed over 60.0% of the monthly increase. Prices for food were unchanged in February. Energy prices rose 2.3%, while prices less food and energy advanced 0.4%. Over the last 12 months, prices for food rose 2.2% while energy prices decreased 1.9%. Prices less food and energy increased 3.8% since February 2023. Shelter prices increased 5.7% over the last year, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the total 12-month increase in prices less food and energy.

Treasury Budget Deficit Increased in February

The Treasury budget deficit was $296.0 billion in February, up from $22.0 billion in January. Total receipts were $271.0 billion, while outlays were $567.0 billion. Through the first five months of the fiscal year, the deficit is $828.0 billion, about $100.0 billion above the deficit over the same period for the last fiscal year.

Eye on the Week Ahead

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets this week. It is not expected that the Committee will lower interest rates at this time, however, it may give some more discernible indication as to when rates may be decreased. The FOMC does not meet again until the beginning of May.