U.S. Inflation Picks Up in February as the War in Iran Push CPI 0.6% Higher

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.3% in February 2026 on a seasonally adjusted basis, up from a 0.2% gain in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Over the past 12 months, overall inflation held steady at 2.4%. Food prices rose 0.4%, matching the food-at-home index, and food away from home increased 0.3%. Due to the War in Iran, energy costs added pressure, rising 0.6% for the month but just 0.5% annually. Core inflation, all items excluding food and energy, rose 0.2% in February and 2.5% over the past year. Monthly gains include medical care (+0.5%), apparel (+1.3%), household furnishings and operations (+0.3%), airline fares (+1.4%), and education (+0.2%). While communication declined by 0.5%, used cars and trucks by 0.4%, motor vehicle insurance by 0.3%, and personal care by 0.2%. Food prices surged 3.1% year-over-year.