Inflation eases to 2.8%, but tariffs raise concerns

February inflation dropped to 2.8%, lower than expected, but tariffs could keep prices rising amid consumer concerns.

Published

12 months ago

March 13, 2025

Ahron Young

February inflation dropped to 2.8%, lower than expected, but tariffs could keep prices rising amid consumer concerns.

In Short

In February, inflation decreased to 2.8%, but consumer sentiment fell, and spending dropped, raising concerns about tariffs’ economic impact. Rising egg prices contributed to food inflation, while fears of a recession linger amid cautious consumer behaviour and political divisions regarding inflation.

In February, inflation cooled to 2.8%, below expectations.

Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 3.1%, the lowest since 2021, but still above the Federal Reserve’s target.

Following the report, stock markets initially rose but retreated as analysts highlighted ongoing concerns over tariffs and their impact on consumer prices.

Fed policymakers may not respond positively to this inflation report due to uncertainties regarding tariffs.

Consumer sentiment showed a significant decline in February, and spending dropped in January, signalling growing anxiety among consumers.

Prce pressure

Airline fares decreased by 4%, but overall price pressures persist, with concerns that new tariffs could lead to a recession.

Egg prices have surged as a major contributor to food inflation, with the cost of a dozen rising to $5.90.

Despite the cooler inflation numbers, economists caution that future reports could show rising inflation given recent tariff actions.

The likelihood of the Fed making interest rate cuts is diminishing amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

February’s data showed shelter prices easing, although they remain a concern, with significant variances in rent prices across regions.

Consumers are growing cautious about big purchases, responding to uncertainty created by rapid tariff policy changes.

Political divisions are evident in consumer attitudes towards the economy and inflation, with Democrats more concerned about rising costs linked to tariffs.

Australia’s inflation report and Nvidia earnings impact explained

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Published

5 days ago

February 26, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Australia’s latest inflation report is creating waves across the market, with questions about interest rates, the strong performance of the Aussie dollar, and the uneven nature of the stock market rally. Investors are watching closely as changes in carry trade risks this month add another layer of complexity.

David Scutt from StoneX discusses what these shifts mean for trading strategies and the broader economic outlook. He provides insight into how underlying factors are shaping investor confidence and market dynamics.

On the tech side, Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are expected to influence AI development and the broader tech sector. Coupled with trends in SaaS and bitcoin price action, these movements are signalling how investor sentiment is evolving in a fast-changing landscape.

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Money

U.S. stocks rally as AMD, Home Depot, and AI software lead gains

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

Published

6 days ago

February 25, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

U.S. tech stocks surged as investors’ fears over AI disruption eased. Advanced Micro Devices jumped 9% after Meta announced a multiyear deal to deploy AMD’s graphics processing units for AI data centres. The move highlights growing corporate confidence in AI infrastructure investments.

DocuSign also rose 3% following Anthropic’s confirmation that Claude Cowork can integrate with DocuSign, Google Drive, and Gmail, signalling stronger adoption of AI tools across industries.

The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF climbed 2% despite remaining over 30% below its 52-week high, showing tech stocks are recovering but still have room to run.

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Money

Stocks tumble amid AI concerns and Trump tariff update

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Published

7 days ago

February 24, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Stocks plunged sharply as concerns over artificial intelligence and trade tensions rattled investors, sending the Dow down more than 800 points. Heavyweights like American Express, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan were key contributors to the drop.

Software companies were hit particularly hard after a report suggested AI could impact economic growth, triggering further losses across tech shares.

Trade-sensitive retailers including American Eagle Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, and Yeti Holdings also faced setbacks as market uncertainty spiked. Bonds, meanwhile, rallied as investors sought safety in a volatile market.

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