Payam Javan: Inflation in the United States climbed for the fourth consecutive month, reaching its highest level since June 2024, as price pressures remained strong across key sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the annual inflation rate rose to 3 percent in January, up from 2.9 percent in December, surpassing market expectations of a steady reading. The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) also registered a sharper-than-anticipated increase of 0.5 percent, driven by rising shelter, energy, and food costs.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, accelerated to 3.3 percent year-over-year, highlighting persistent underlying inflationary pressures. On a monthly basis, core CPI increased by 0.4 percent, slightly above the forecasted 0.3 percent. The latest data suggests that inflation remains stubborn despite prior cooling trends, potentially influencing Federal Reserve policy decisions in the coming months.