#CPIWatch Latest US CPI Update!

Just two days ago, on December 18, the Bureau of Labor Statistics dropped the November 2025 CPI report – and it's got everyone talking. Headline inflation cooled to 2.7% year-over-year, down from 3.0% in September (skipping October due to that lengthy government shutdown). Core inflation (excluding food and energy) hit a multi-year low at 2.6%, which is the softest reading since early 2021.

This surprise easing came despite disruptions in data collection – no October numbers meant some monthly changes were estimated over two months, rising just 0.2% combined. Economists are cautious, noting the figures might be distorted and could bounce back in December's report (due January 13, 2026). Shelter costs slowed, energy firmed up a bit, but overall price pressures seem to be moderating.

Good news for consumers feeling the pinch? Potentially – lower inflation could mean steadier wages gaining ground and perhaps more room for Fed rate adjustments ahead. But with tariffs and other factors in play, we're not out of the woods yet. Inflation's journey back toward the Fed's 2% target continues... slowly.

What do you think – is this a real cooldown or just noisy data? Drop your thoughts below