Eggs for sale at a grocery store in Los Angeles, California, US, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The latest Consumer Price Index was released Wednesday, showing inflation slowed in February for the first time since September.
CPI inflation report
By the numbers:
The consumer price index increased 2.8% in January from a year ago, Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed, down from 3% in January.
Core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose 3.1% from a year earlier, down from 3.3% in January. The core figure is the lowest in nearly four years.
Big picture view:
The declines were larger than economists expected, the Associated Press reported, but remain higher than the Federal Reserve's 2% target.
Meanwhile:
The biggest wild card for the economy as a whole are the tariffs and President Donald Trump's threats to impose more.
Since his inauguration in January, Trump has imposed 20% taxes on all imports from China, and 25% duties on imports from Canada and Mexico, though most of those tariffs have been suspended for a month.
Egg prices
By the numbers:
US egg prices increased by an average of 10.4% last month, Consumer Price Index shows.
Egg prices have soared nearly 59% compared with a year ago, and is by far the highest inflated price on the Consumer Price Index report.
Big picture view:
An avian flu epidemic has forced many egg producers to cull millions of birds from their flocks. Some stores have imposed limits on egg purchases, and some restaurants have placed surcharges on egg dishes.
RELATED: Egg prices are up more, and will likely get worse before they get better
Grocery prices
By the numbers:
Other grocery items that saw a price jump last month include:
- Uncooked ground beef 2.7%
- Breakfast cereal 2.1%
- Roasted coffee 2.1%
- Frozen fruits and vegetables 2%
Notable non-grocery items that increased include:
- Men’s suits, sport coats and outerwear 5.5%
- Girls’ apparel 3.6%
- Jewelry and watches 3.6%
- Laundry equipment 3.3%
- Computer software and accessories 3.3%
- Dishes and flatware 2.8%
- Utility gas service 2.5%
- Women’s dresses 2.5%
The Source: Information in this article was taken from the February 2025 Consumer Price Index and its detailed expenditure category. This story was reported from Detroit.