The United States’ core Consumer Price Index (CPI) continued to cool in January 2026, with the year-over-year rate slipping to 2.5%, down from 2.6% in December 2025. The data, updated on 13 February 2026, underscore a gradual easing in underlying inflation pressures as measured on a core basis, which excludes volatile food and energy components.
On a year-over-year comparison, January’s figure reflects how prices evolved versus January a year earlier, while December’s reading showed the change relative to December a year before. The slight moderation from 2.6% to 2.5% suggests that disinflation is still progressing, albeit at a measured pace, and will likely remain a key focus for policymakers and markets assessing the trajectory of U.S. inflation.
