US Inflation Steadies at 2.7%, Raising Concerns Over Slowdown Amid Core Inflation Uptick

Washington | EcoPulse24

Estimates indicate that the annual inflation rate in the United States held steady at 2.7% in December 2025, reflecting a temporary halt in the downward trend seen in previous months. At the same time, the projected reading for core inflation shows a slight increase to 2.7% compared to 2.6% in November, the lowest level recorded since early 2021, suggesting more persistent pressure in non-volatile price components.

On a monthly basis, the Consumer Price Index is expected to have risen by 0.3% in December, with core inflation showing the same monthly pace, driven mainly by higher goods prices. This reading comes amid the absence of monthly data for November, as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics was unable to collect it during the government shutdown.

The December data represents the first complete reading after the interruption, potentially introducing distortions related to data quality. While the figures may reflect a partial reversal of the deflationary pressures observed in November, the effects of the shutdown continue to cast doubt on the reliability of published indicators.

Analysis
These developments illustrate a fragile balance in US inflation trends, with the pace of decline slowing but no clear upward surge emerging. The limited rise in core inflation highlights the resilience of underlying pressures, leaving future assessments dependent on more stable readings, while monetary policy navigates mixed signals and incomplete data.