BUENOS AIRES, March 12 (Reuters) – Argentina’s monthly inflation rate was 2.9% in February, stable from the level registered in the first month of 2026 but a tick above analysts’ forecast of 2.7%, official data showed on Thursday.
In the 12 months through the second month of the year prices rose 33.1%, over the previous month’s rate of 32.4% and above analysts’ 32.7% forecast.
Living costs such as rent and utilities surged ahead of most other sectors, with prices up 6.8% in the month, followed by prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks that rose 3.3%.
Clothing costs remained steady and prices for alcohol and tobacco rose slightly.
In a television interview this week, President Javier Milei reiterated a promise to reduce inflation to zero, setting a deadline for August. Inflation exceeded 200% when he took office at the end of 2023 and peaked close to 300% months later.
The data comes as Argentine officials meet with U.S. officials in Washington, as the two countries look to deepen economic ties.
Last week, a monthly central bank poll showed analysts still expected slower inflation, though their year-end consensus forecast for 2026 rose from January’s survey.
(Reporting by Walter Bianchi and Sarah Morland, Editing by Natalia Siniawski)
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