US PCE growth holds steady at 2.8pc YOY in February

(Sharecast News) - US inflation rose in line with expectations in February, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, likely stopping the Federal Reserve from making any interest rates cuts in the near term. The personal consumption expenditures price index increased 0.4% month-on-month in February after a 0.3% gain in January, in line with expectations, while annual PCE growth held steady at 2.8%.

The BEA is still working through delayed releases following last year's government shutdown. Inflation pressures were already elevated before the conflict, in part due to import duties introduced by President Donald Trump.

Excluding volatile food and energy prices, the so-called core PCE index rose 0.4% for a third consecutive month and was up 3% year‑on‑year, easing slightly from 3.1% in January.

Also of note, consumer spending rose 0.5% in February after a 0.3% gain in January, with higher prices accounting for part of the increase.





Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com