FX.co ★ US Inflation Rate Stable at 2.7%, Core Below Forecasts

In December 2025, the United States saw its annual inflation rate hold steady at 2.7%, mirroring November's figure and aligning with market forecasts. A significant easing of price pressures occurred within the energy sector, where increases slowed to 2.3% from the previous 4.2%. This deceleration was largely attributed to a drop in gasoline prices, which fell by 3.4% compared to a previous rise of 0.9%, and a cooling of fuel oil inflation, which decreased to 7.4% from 11.3%. Conversely, natural gas prices experienced a sharper rise, jumping to 10.8% from 9.1%. Additionally, the rate of price increases for used cars and trucks decelerated to 1.6% from 3.6%.

On the other hand, prices for food and shelter saw quicker increases, with food prices rising by 3.1% compared to 2.6%, and shelter costs increasing by 3.2% from 3.0%. The annual core inflation rate remained at 2.6%, which is the lowest level seen since 2021 and below the anticipated rise to 2.7%. On a monthly scale, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3%, meeting predictions, with shelter costs climbing by 0.4%, contributing significantly to the overall increase. The core rate rose by 0.2%, under expectations of a 0.3% increase.