The inflation rate last month was slightly lower than forecast by economists, although price increases are still higher than the Fed would like.

Inflation slowed more than expected in February, bringing some relief to consumers and Federal Reserve officials alike even as the effects from higher tariffs threaten to push it up again.. The consumer price index climbed 2.

US consumer price inflation data for February came in slightly below expectations across the board. However, while the Fed does not target this index, price pressures are still too strong to warrant a near-term Fed cut. The data does ease fears of resurgent inflation that resulted from a high January CPI reading.