The February consumer price index provided an unpleasant preview of coming attractions in the U.S. economy as top-line inflation soared by 0.8% on the month, pushing the year-ago reading to 7.9%, the fastest rate in 40 years. It is important to note that the February estimation of inflation ... READ MORE >
Consumer Price Index
U.S. January consumer price index: Inflation continues to surge
Nothing in January’s consumer price index data released on Thursday implies that the surge in inflation has peaked. Last month's CPI increase will add to the difficult choices at the Federal Reserve on the magnitude of the interest rate hikes that make up the next step of its policy ... READ MORE >
Price stability now a paramount concern as inflation hits 7%
Price stability: Learn it, know it and love it because that is what the Federal Reserve will be talking about over the next two years as the central bank attempts to craft a soft landing following an increase in the Consumer Price Index to a 7% annual rate in December. The Consumer Price Index data ... READ MORE >
U.S. Consumer Price Index: Inflation broadens out as shelter costs rise by 4.8%
November inflation data, rising by 6.8% on the year, offered no relief for American households as energy and transportation costs continued to drive prices higher. While there is some relief over the horizon on both fronts—falling oil and gasoline prices, as well as the return of North American ... READ MORE >
U.S. inflation reached a three-decade high in October
Inflation continued to surge in October, mostly on the back of seasonal influences that boosted the cost of energy, transportation and food, sending the consumer price index up by 6.2% on an annual basis, a three-decade high. This data will complicate the Federal Reserve’s patient stance on rising ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Producer prices rise as cost pressures mount
The producer price index inched up 0.6% in October with about a third of the increase coming from higher gasoline prices. This followed a 0.5% increase in September and a 0.7% increase in August, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday. Still, October’s increase remained ... READ MORE >
Inflation in Canada persists amid shortages
Inflation is proving to be persistent in Canada, with the Consumer Price Index increasing at an annual pace of 4.4% in September amid shortages of workers and supplies. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, the index rose by a more moderate 3.3% on a year-over-year basis, but it was ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Producer Price Index slowed for second month
A day after the Labor Department reported that inflation for consumers had remained stubbornly high in September, the department reported that prices paid by sellers decelerated for the second month in a row. The headline Producer Price Index (PPI) eased to a 0.5% gain on a month-over-month basis, from ... READ MORE >
Inflation remains elevated as supply chain disruptions persist
Inflation continued to move at or near the top of its pandemic-induced pace in September with the overall Consumer Price Index increasing by 0.4% on the month and by 5.4% on an annual basis as supply chain disruptions fueled increases for the sixth consecutive month. Sectors that are sensitive to ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Middle of the supply chain feels outsized impact of rising food costs
While U.S. core and headline inflation came in below expectations, according to the latest Consumer Price Index release, it will be well into next year before consumers see this inflation slowdown in their grocery bills and restaurant tickets. Retailers and distributors are continuing to feel the pinch of ... READ MORE >