1143 ET - Gauging January's cooling CPI report and the better-than-expected jobs data this week provides ample cover for the Federal Open Market Committee to remain on hold at March's policy meeting, says Lawrence Werther Chief U.S. Economist at Daiwa Capital Markets America. "With respect to the January inflation data, the year-over-year changes in the headline and core of 2.4 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, met the fairly low bar of inflation remaining above 2 percent as an argument for staying patient," he says. In addition, core services inflation excluding housing, formerly a focal point of policymakers (although it had fallen off radar somewhat before the most recent spurt), jumped 0.6, a development that likely caught the attention of Fed bank presidents who are cautious on price increases, Werther argues. (jessica.coacci@wsj.com; @jessica_coacci)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 13, 2026 11:43 ET (16:43 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.