The growth rate of the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge—slowed in February, matching forecasts, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Despite this slowdown, inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target. However, it is expected to rise further in the near term due to soaring oil prices.
PCE Price Index Trends – February 2026
Indicator
Estimates
Previous Reading
Latest Reading
Change
Annual Core Inflation
3%
3.1%
3%
(0.1%)
Monthly Core Inflation
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
–
Annual Headline Inflation
2.8%
2.8%
2.8%
–
Monthly Headline Inflation
0.3%
0.3%
0.4%
+0.1%
The data showed that inflationary pressures eased slightly during February, suggesting a gradual improvement in the inflation trajectory prior to the escalation of geopolitical tensions at the end of the month.
The growth rate of the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge—slowed in February, matching forecasts, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Despite this slowdown, inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target. However, it is expected to rise further in the near term due to soaring oil prices.
PCE Price Index Trends – February 2026
Indicator
Estimates
Previous Reading
Latest Reading
Change
Annual Core Inflation
3%
3.1%
3%
(0.1%)
Monthly Core Inflation
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
–
Annual Headline Inflation
2.8%
2.8%
2.8%
–
Monthly Headline Inflation
0.3%
0.3%
0.4%
+0.1%
The data showed that inflationary pressures eased slightly during February, suggesting a gradual improvement in the inflation trajectory prior to the escalation of geopolitical tensions at the end of the month.
