PCE index | Inflation at 5% in February in the United States

(Washington) Inflation slowed in February in the United States, to 5% year on year against 5.3% the previous month, the data for which has been revised (5.4% initially), according to the index PCE released Friday by the Commerce Department and which is favored by the Federal Reserve (Fed).

On a month-to-month basis, price growth also decelerated, to 0.3%, slightly below analysts’ expectations of 0.4%, according to the consensus published by briefing.com.

So-called core inflation, excluding food and energy prices, followed the same trend at 4.7% over one year, again slightly below expectations.

In addition, revenues increased by 0.3%, significantly less than the previous month, while their expenses increased by 0.2%.

Analysts were expecting an increase of the same level this time, however expecting slightly stronger spending, up 0.3%.

To achieve this objective, it has been raising its key rate for the past year. This, which was then within a range of 0 to 0.25%, now stands at 4.75-5%. And the institution warned that additional increases were to be expected, to deal with inflation which remains strong, even if the recent tremors in the financial sector could encourage caution.

This increase increases the interest rates on loans granted by banks to households and businesses. When borrowing is more expensive, consumption slows, relieving pressure on prices.

Between price and rate increases, Americans are seeing their purchasing power decline.

Another measure of inflation, the CPI index, which is also a reference and on which pensions are indexed, for its part showed a slight slowdown in February, to 6% over one year, against 6.4% in January. .