{"id":2578514,"date":"2026-03-11T08:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T12:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inflation-held-at-2-4-in-february-as-affordability-woes-persist\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T08:56:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T12:56:46","slug":"inflation-held-at-2-4-in-february-as-affordability-woes-persist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inflation-held-at-2-4-in-february-as-affordability-woes-persist\/","title":{"rendered":"Inflation held at 2.4% in February as affordability woes persist"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Finflation-held-at-2-4-in-february-as-affordability-woes-persist%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2578514&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Inflation remained at 2.4% for the year through February, with core inflation at 2.5%, while prices rose 0.3% in February.Forecasters had expected a steady reading,and the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed the CPI update. The report notes that higher prices continue to affect affordability and influence political dynamics around President Donald Trump.The Federal Reserve paused rate cuts and kept its target range at 3.50%-3.75%, citing a slowing labor market; in February the economy shed 92,000 jobs and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. A revision showed payroll employment for 2025 was about 1 million lower than previously thought.The piece also mentions industry pushback on a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/increases-in-price-inventory-lead-to-7b-in-homes-for-sale-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Increases in price, inventory lead to B in homes for sale - Washington Examiner\">major housing bill<\/a> restricting purchases<\/a> by large investors, while Democrats and Republicans debate how to frame the economy ahead of elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Inflation held at 2.4% in February as affordability woes persist<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2525061\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/inflation\/\">Inflation<\/a>&nbsp;held steady at 2.4% for the year ending in February as higher prices continue to plague President&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\">Donald Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Forecasters had expected inflation to hold steady last month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the update to the consumer price index on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4485116\/april-social-security-direct-payment-worth-994-21-days\/\">April Social Security direct payment worth $994 goes out in 21 days<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4485941\/democrats-running-for-president-2028\/\">The Democrats who could run for president in 2028<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4487286\/house-republicans-reconciliation-despite-trump-indifference\/\">Johnson pushes reconciliation 2.0 with no clear plan and Trump&#8217;s focus elsewhere<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4481085\/futures-markets-cryptocurrency-agenda-michael-selig-cftc\/\">FUTURES MARKETS AND CRYPTO HIGH ON AGENDA OF AGENCY&rsquo;S NEW LEADER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The report that inflation is not falling is a blow to the White House. Trump has seen his economic approval ratings fall dramatically since he entered office, in large part because of voter discontent with affordability issues. The higher inflation prints have the potential to imperil Republicans in the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p>Core&nbsp;inflation, a measure that strips out volatile food and energy&nbsp;prices,&nbsp;also held steady at 2.5% for&nbsp;the year ending in February.<\/p>\n<p>In February alone, prices&nbsp;rose 0.3%.<\/p>\n<p>This latest inflation report comes after the Federal Reserve voted to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sp-500-nasdaq-futures-rise-as-investors-pin-hopes-on-fed-pause\/\" title=\"S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq futures up on hopes of Fed pause.\">hold interest rates steady<\/a> in January, pausing after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-sees-double-digit-drop-in-approval-among-black-voters-even-worse-among-young-black-voters-survey\/\" title=\"Biden Sees Double-Digit Drop In Approval Among Black Voters, Even Worse Among Young Black Voters: Survey\">cutting interest rates<\/a> in the previous three meetings.<\/p>\n<p>While the Fed continues to monitor slowdowns in the labor market, it remains attentive to the fact that inflation is still running above its 2% target. The pause comes despite pressure from the White House for the central bank to cut rates.<\/p>\n<p>The Fed&rsquo;s next meeting is set for next week, and it will make a decision on whether to hold its rate target at a range of 3.50% to 3.75%.<\/p>\n<p>A major factor in officials&rsquo; thinking is the recent signs that job growth has significantly slowed.<\/p>\n<p>The economy&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4483115\/economy-lost-jobs-february-key-facts-figures\/\">shed 92,000 jobs<\/a>&nbsp;in February, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calif-officials-say-10-of-states-unemployment-payments-linked-to-fraud\/\" title=\"Calif. officials say 10% of state\u2019s unemployment payments linked to fraud\">unemployment rate edged<\/a> up to 4.4%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said last Friday. <\/p>\n<p>And a revision to the past year&rsquo;s data showed that payroll employment was 1 million lower at the end of 2025 than previously thought. Average monthly payroll growth for 2025 was revised down from roughly 50,000 to 15,000.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4482512\/major-housing-bill-industry-pushback-ban-purchases-large-investors\/\">MAJOR HOUSING BILL GETS INDUSTRY PUSHBACK OVER BAN ON PURCHASES BY LARGE INVESTORS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Trump and Republicans have been working to highlight the positive spots in the economy, like, until last month, net positive job growth and unexpectedly hotter economic growth. Despite that, voters continue to report dissatisfaction with prices and affordability.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are trying to seize on economic discontent in order to gain back control of one or both chambers of Congress in the November midterm election. If they are able to win, it could hamstring the administration during the second half of Trump&rsquo;s second term.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s a concise paraphrase:<\/p>\n<p>February\u2019s inflation remained at 2.4% for the year, with core inflation at 2.5% and a monthly uptick of 0.3%. The persistent higher prices pose a setback for the White House and could threaten Republicans in the midterms. The Federal Reserve held rates steady after earlier cuts, weighing when to move again as job growth slows (February payrolls fell by 92,000 and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%). Revisions showed 2025 payrolls were about 1 million lower than previously thought. A major housing bill drew pushback from industry over a ban on large investors buying homes. Democrats are aiming to capitalize on economic discontent to win back Congress, which could constrain the administration in the latter part of Trump\u2019s term.<\/p>\n<p>55-character headline option:<br \/>\nInflation steady at 2.4% in Feb amid affordability woes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3360,"featured_media":2578515,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP24192566855547.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[18297,8017,5708],"class_list":["post-2578514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-affordability","tag-cost-of-living","tag-inflation"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP24192566855547.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3360"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2578514"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2578518,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578514\/revisions\/2578518"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2578515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2578514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2578514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2578514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}