Global stock and crypto markets remained tense on February 13 after new US inflation data showed prices continued to cool in January. Investors also reacted to reports that President Donald Trump is considering changes to steel and aluminum tariffs.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the headline Consumer Price Index fell to 2.4% in January, down from 2.7% in December. On a monthly basis, inflation slowed to 0.2% from 0.3%.
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, eased to 2.5% from 2.6%. The figures suggest that price pressures are cooling, even as many economists had expected tariffs to push inflation higher.
US stock futures declined after the report. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq-100, and S&P 500 fell by more than 35 basis points, extending recent losses.
The crypto market also weakened. Bitcoin dropped to $66,000, while several altcoins fell more than 5% in 24 hours. The total crypto market value declined to about $2.29 trillion.
The inflation report came shortly after the Financial Times said the Trump administration may adjust steel and aluminum tariffs. Analysts say lower tariffs could reduce costs for manufacturers and help ease price pressures over time.
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the US economy added 130,000 jobs in January. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, showing the labor market remains stable.
Despite easing inflation, uncertainty remains about interest rates. Many traders expect the Federal Reserve to hold rates steady in March. Markets typically perform better when rates fall, but investors remain cautious as they wait for clearer signals from policymakers.
