In May, the CPI and the “core” CPI fell for the third straight month amid the current recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The data are a reminder that deflation is a greater risk during an economic downturn. However, as the economy rebounds, those deflationary pressures will ease. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index… Read More ›
Tag Archive for ‘core cpi’
Deflationary Pressure: Largest Monthly Drop in the “Core” CPI in April
The CPI declined for the second straight month and the “core” CPI posted the largest monthly drop in the history of data series. Like many other economic indicators, the recent declines in the CPI and the “core” CPI reflected economic weakness associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), declined… Read More ›
“Real” Rent Index Growth Accelerates in March as Core CPI Declines
In March, the real rent index increased 0.4 percent over February’s reading, after growing by approximately 0.1 percent per month for the previous 6 months (Figure 1). The annual growth rate of the real rent index grew to 5 percent in March, after 3 months of staying in the 1 percent range. NAHB constructs a “real” rent index to indicate… Read More ›
Consumer Prices Drop Sharply in March
In March, the “core” CPI dropped for the first time in more than ten years, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), declined by 0.4% in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, following an increase of 0.1% in February. It is the largest monthly decline in the CPI since… Read More ›
Energy Prices Fall in February
In February, headline inflation and core inflation remained unchanged from the previous month. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), rose by 0.1% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in January. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the “core” CPI increased by 0.2% in February, the same increase… Read More ›
Decline in Energy Prices in January
In January, core inflation increased, while headline inflation slipped as energy prices declined. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), rose by 0.1% in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, following a 0.2% increase in December. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the “core” CPI increased by 0.2% in January, after rising 0.1%… Read More ›
Rent Index Inches Up in December
In December, inflation-adjusted residential rents increased 0.1 percent over November’s reading, after essentially no growth in October and November (Figure 1). The average monthly growth rate of the real rent index stood at 0.11 percent in 2019, compared to 0.10 percent in 2018. NAHB constructs a “real” rent index to indicate whether inflation in rents is faster or slower than… Read More ›
A Modest Increase in Core Inflation in December
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.2% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, following a 0.3% increase in November. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the “core” CPI increased by 0.1% in December, after rising 0.2% in November. The food and energy indexes increased faster in December than last… Read More ›
Consumer Prices Rise in November
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, following a 0.4% increase in October. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the “core” CPI increased by 0.2% in November, the same increase as in October. In November, increases in the food and energy indexes contributed… Read More ›
Consumer Prices Rebound in October
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.4% in October on a seasonally adjusted basis, after being unchanged in September. It was the largest monthly increase in the CPI since March 2019. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the “core” CPI increased by 0.2% in October, following a 0.1% increase in… Read More ›