Inflation Slowdown Is a Good Sign for the Economy

WSJ What’s News

The Wall Street Journal

Daily News, News

4.1 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 13 February 2026

⏱️ 13 minutes

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Summary

P.M. Edition for Feb. 13. Annual inflation slowed to 2.4% in January, more than economists expected. WSJ chief economics commentator Greg Ip discusses how this is affecting consumers, and what it means for the Federal Reserve. Plus, it’s rare to get a granular look at a billionaire’s finances. Journal economics reporter Rachel Ensign tells us what she learned about Leon Black’s financial life from documents in the Jeffrey Epstein files. And, barring an unlikely last-minute deal, the Department of Homeland Security is expected to shut down overnight. If it lasts, it might mean longer security lines at airports. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Sharpen your perspective on the future of technology and business in 2026.
0:04.9	Take a look inside the new edition of ThoughtWorks Looking Glass and discover how business leaders can prepare their organizations for the future and make informed decisions that have a lasting impact.
0:15.3	Find out more at ThoughtWorks.com slash looking glass.
0:23.6	Inflation cooled last month, but in many areas, consumers may not be feeling that relief.
0:29.3	Plus, how does a billionaire spend his money?
0:31.6	Documents from the Epstein files offer a rare look into one of those billionaires, Leon Black.
0:36.1	So these documents are super interesting because it's really unusual to see in very granular detail
0:42.9	what billionaire's personal finances look like.
0:46.7	And the Department of Homeland Security seems likely to shut down overnight.
0:50.6	What could that mean for you?
0:52.2	It's Friday, February 13th.
0:54.0	I'm Alex O'Sullough for the
0:55.3	Wall Street Journal. This is the PM edition of What's News, the top headlines and business
1:00.3	stories that move the world today. A new report out today from the Labor Department shows that
1:09.2	annual inflation slowed more than expected in January,
1:12.1	dropping to 2.4% from 2.7% the month before. That follows the better than expected January jobs report from earlier this week.
1:20.1	These are promising numbers, but does that mean the economy is doing as well as it seems?
1:24.6	WSJ chief economics commentator Greg I, Ip, is here to discuss.
1:28.3	Greg, for the past few months, there have been these fears swirling around that the Trump administration's tariffs will lead to broader inflation.
1:34.6	Does this data ease that concern?
1:36.9	We do see evidence of tariffs in this data.
1:39.4	We see, for example, the price of goods, if you exclude energy and use cars.
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