US PCE Prices Rise More than Expected

2026-02-20 13:38 By Agna Gabriel 1 min. read

The US PCE price index rose 0.4% month-over-month in December 2025, following a 0.2% increase in November, the most since February and above market expectations of 0.3%.

Prices for goods were up 0.4%, accelerating from 0.1% in November while prices of services rose at a faster 0.3%, compared with 0.2% in November.

Core PCE, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.4%, also above forecasts of 0.3%.

Separately, prices for food rose 0.4% and cost for energy goods and services went up 0.2%, easing from a 1.7% rise.

On an annual basis, headline PCE inflation accelerated to 2.9% from 2.8%, above forecasts of 2.8%.

Core PCE inflation also edged up to 3% from 2.8% in November and above expectations of 2.9%.

The PCE index remains the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.



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US PCE Prices Rise More than Expected
The US PCE price index rose 0.4% month-over-month in December 2025, following a 0.2% increase in November, the most since February and above market expectations of 0.3%. Prices for goods were up 0.4%, accelerating from 0.1% in November while prices of services rose at a faster 0.3%, compared with 0.2% in November. Core PCE, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.4%, also above forecasts of 0.3%. Separately, prices for food rose 0.4% and cost for energy goods and services went up 0.2%, easing from a 1.7% rise. On an annual basis, headline PCE inflation accelerated to 2.9% from 2.8%, above forecasts of 2.8%. Core PCE inflation also edged up to 3% from 2.8% in November and above expectations of 2.9%. The PCE index remains the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.
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