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What do different measures of inflation tell us?

Jun 30, 2022
The PCE and CPI measure different things, but the message they send to consumers may influence expectations — that then can affect inflation.
One thing that can really mess with what inflation is doing? What consumers think inflation will do.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

"Owners' equivalent rent" a key property of inflation

Jun 10, 2022
OER, a component of the consumer price index, involves homeowners’ estimates of what their residence would rent for.
In the process of calculating the consumer price index, the Bureau of Labor Statistics asks homeowners how much money, hypothetically, they'd rent their place out for.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

While trade policy could tame inflation, it's no silver bullet

May 23, 2022
Tariffs won't go away altogether. Some reduction could impact prices, but not immediately.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai explains why addressing economic coercion from China is a challenge.
cbarnesphotography/Getty Images

Why do we care about "core" inflation?

Mar 9, 2022
The core measure strips out food and energy prices, two of the biggest contributors to inflation today.
Food prices were up 7% year over year in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but core inflation takes food and energy out of the equation.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Americans are buying a whole lot of furniture

Feb 16, 2022
Home furnishing sales went up 7.2% month over month in January, but why are people buying so much furniture?
Furniture sales climbed in January as people made themselves more comfortable at home.
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To fight inflation, restaurants get creative with menus, portions

Jan 31, 2022
The rising cost of food is hitting restaurants — and they can only raise prices so much before customers balk.
To avoid raising prices, some restaurants rearrange menus to hide dishes with the lowest profit margins. Sometimes the plate gets a little lighter.
Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images

What's behind the housing inflation disconnect?

Jan 11, 2022
For many Americans, rents are rising much faster than official numbers suggest.
Depending on the source, rent rose anywhere from 3% to 18% last year. Above, apartments in New York City.
Drew Angerer via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

USDA program could help shore up local and regional food economies

Dec 13, 2021
The program will help state and tribal governments purchase locally produced food for nutritional assistance programs like food banks and school cafeterias.
USDA Choice beef is displayed for sale in a grocery store on November 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Millennials facing high inflation for the first time

Dec 1, 2021
Beset by economic instability since 9/11 and the Great Recession, many millennials feel pressured and anxious about their prospects.
Millennials have already grappled with steep housing and tuition costs, and many entered the job market during the Great Recession.
Moyo Studio via Getty Images

Inflation is hiding within retail sales spikes

Nov 16, 2021
While prices are rising for consumers, that's not discouraging them from making purchases.
A woman shops at a Miami Target in September. While retail sales were up 16.3% year over year in October, inflation is eating up a lot of that increase.
Joe Raedle via Getty Images