January CPI Report: Unusually Cooler Than Normal

Principal Financial Group1.22K FollowersFollow5ShareSavePlay(5min)CommentsSummaryConsumer prices in January came in softer than expected, with the annual headline rate easing to 2.4%, from 2.7% previously.While inflation remains above 2%, the report is reassuring for markets as it signals tariff pass-throughs have remained modest so far.Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3%, as expected, bringing the annual rate to 2.5%, the slowest pace since March 2021. Andrii Dodonov/iStock via Getty Images Originally published on February 13, 2026 By Seema Shah, Chief Global Strategist; Christian Floro, CFA, CMT, Market Strategist; and Magdalena Ocampo, Market Strategist Consumer prices in January came in softer than expected, with the annualThis article was written byPrincipal Financial Group1.22K FollowersFollowThe Principal Financial Group (The Principal®) is a global investment management leader offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500®, the Principal Financial Group has $519.3 billion in assets under management1 and serves some 19.7 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com. Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Princor Financial Services Corp., 800/247-1737, Member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Principal National, Principal Life, Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. and Princor® are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal.