February 2026 U.S. CPI Stays at 2.4% as Iran-Linked Oil Shock Rattles Global Markets

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that February headline CPI remained at 2.4% year-over-year, with core inflation steady at 2.5%. Energy and food costs added pressure beneath the surface, while an oil price spike tied to conflict involving Iran pushed Brent crude above $90 and briefly past $100 per barrel. U.S. equity futures traded lower and the VIX climbed above 25 as investors weighed persistent inflation risks against the escalating energy shock.