The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), not seasonally adjusted, strengthened notably in January 2026, rising 0.37% month-over-month, according to data updated on 13 February 2026. This marks a clear turnaround from December 2025, when the index had slipped by 0.02% compared with November.
The latest reading indicates a shift from marginal deflationary pressure at the end of 2025 to firmer price gains at the start of 2026. On a month-over-month basis, the “actual” January figure reflects the change in prices from December to January, while the “previous” figure captures the December move versus November. The move from -0.02% to 0.37% suggests that price momentum has picked up entering the new year, a development that investors and policymakers will be watching closely for clues on the near-term inflation path and potential monetary policy implications.
