CPI Inflation Data Meets U.S. Stocks: What February’s Numbers Mean for Markets in March 2025
CPI Inflation Data Meets U.S. Stocks: What February’s Numbers Mean for Markets in March 2025 March 12, 2025 Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics dropped the February 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, and Wall Street’s been holding its breath. Inflation data isn’t just a number—it’s a pulse check on the economy, a signal for the Federal Reserve, and a make-or-break moment for stock traders. With the S&P 500 already wobbling this week and tariff fears looming large, how does this latest CPI print fit into the bigger picture? Let’s break it down with the freshest data and some hard-earned perspective. The Headline: Inflation Holds Steady at 2.9% The February CPI data, released at 8:30 a.m. ET today, shows headline inflation clocking in at 2.9% year-over-year—right in line with what economists polled by FactSet and Dow Jones expected. Month-over-month, prices ticked up 0.3%, a slowdown from January’s spicier 0.5% jump. Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and ener...