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CPI

In April, grocery store prices were flat — or even lower

by Caleigh Wells
May 15, 2024
Consumers tend to be very sensitive to food costs. Fresh edibles like fruit, vegetables and meat saw substantial declines.
The prices of fresh food like fruit, vegetables and meat saw some of the biggest decreases.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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Why isn't the cost of borrowing money included in the consumer price index?

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
May 15, 2024
Loans are a big cost, but they would muddle the data in the CPI. Fed rate hikes would essentially create inflation, despite their intention.
Borrowing is a major expense for many Americans. One example is the interest on car loans.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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The federal government's inflation measures can feel ... wrong. How accurate are they?

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Apr 30, 2024
CPI and PCE can both seem to be out of step with consumers' experience.
The CPI and PCE each have their own basket of goods and services they keep an eye on to determine how inflation is doing.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Electricity bills could hit your pocketbook even more this summer

by Henry Epp
Apr 10, 2024
The Energy Information Association expects electricity demand to rise by 4% this summer, anticipating that it’ll be even hotter than last year.
The EIA expects electricity demand to rise by 4% this summer, anticipating that it’ll be even hotter than last year. Many people will likely be running their ACs more to cope with the heat.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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Import prices rose more slowly in February. That could help bring down inflation.

by Justin Ho
Mar 15, 2024
The Labor Department reported that the price of imported goods rose 0.3% in February compared to 0.8% the month before.
Prices at the import level can affect prices that show up in other inflation data.
Julia Nikhinson/AFP via Getty Images
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Inflation falls, but not as much as expected

by Matt Levin
Feb 13, 2024
The CPI rose 3.1% in January compared to a year ago.
A major factor in core inflation is shelter costs. But the way the CPI calculates rent lags a bit behind current rent prices.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
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When an item costs more but you still need it? That's "inelastic demand."

by Stephanie Hughes
Feb 13, 2024
Despite inflation, people still buy as much food, medicine, gasoline — even coffee.
The price of baby food and formula is up 8.7% year over year, according to the latest CPI.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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How are health insurance costs reflected in inflation calculations?

by Meghan McCarty Carino
Nov 13, 2023
To make the CPI’s health care component more accurate, the Bureau of Labor Statistics changed how it uses health insurance data.
Rather than tracking health insurance premiums, the BLS tracks how much health insurance companies retain of the premiums they receive after paying for services.
Denisfilm/Getty Images
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What’s the difference between CPI and PCE?

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Oct 27, 2023
The consumer price index and the personal consumption expenditures price index measure the changing cost of different baskets of goods.
Housing is a bigger part of the CPI than the PCE, and the increase in housing costs has pushed the CPI higher.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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Would-be used-car buyers could be in for a rude awakening on dealers' lots

by Henry Epp
Oct 12, 2023
While prices slipped last month, they're still significantly higher than before the pandemic — and headed higher.
Used car prices are dropping. But if you haven't been in the market for a used car since before the pandemic, prices might still shock you.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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