2月物价数据点评：春节错月拖累通胀，政策将加快落地

Investment Rating - The report indicates a focus on expanding domestic demand as a key priority in the government's work report, suggesting a potential for policy implementation to accelerate in the future [3][16]. Core Insights - February CPI decreased by 0.7% year-on-year, which was weaker than the market expectation of -0.4%, while PPI fell by 2.2%, also below the expected -2.1% [3][11]. - The decline in CPI was primarily influenced by the high base effect from the previous year due to the Spring Festival, with a new impact contributing a 0.1% increase when excluding this effect [11][16]. - The report highlights that food prices were weaker than seasonal trends, with a notable decrease in fresh vegetable prices by 12.6% year-on-year [11][12]. - The government aims to address insufficient domestic demand and weak consumption by implementing policies promptly to stimulate recovery in demand and a moderate rebound in prices [3][16]. Summary by Sections CPI Analysis - February CPI's year-on-year decline was driven by the Spring Festival's timing and a high base from the previous year, with food prices showing a significant drop [11][12]. - The report notes that the service CPI and core CPI both turned negative for the first time in four years, indicating weak demand and consumption [15][16]. PPI Analysis - February PPI's year-on-year decline of 2.2% was attributed to seasonal factors, abundant coal supply, and fluctuations in international oil prices [17]. - The report suggests a potential for short-term PPI recovery due to proactive fiscal policies and improving funding rates for construction projects [17][18].