Is Inflation Mounting A Comeback?

By Scott Burns, Houston Chronicle: Business
Tue, 08/05/2014 - 4:01pm

Inflation has obediently averaged a 2.1 percent annual rate since 2010, albeit with some big swings. Every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the change in the consumer price index. The part of the index followed by the Federal Reserve - all items less food and energy - increased only 0.1 percent for the month and 1.9 percent for the previous 12 months. The Federal Reserve watches inflation in its particular way because food and energy prices are volatile and can overstate the general rate of inflation. The cost of shelter is the largest item in the consumer price index, accounting for nearly 32 percent of it. The figure is calculated with a complex blending of rents and homeowner equivalent rents. The next-largest spending categories, medical care and transportation, at 5.8 and 5.5 percent of the CPI-U, were mixed bags over the last year. Motor vehicle maintenance and repairs rose only 1.6 percent.

NEXT
Topics:  bureau   labor statistics   the federal reserve   motor   federal reserve   the   inflation   percent   index   food   rents   energy   rate   month   price   consumer   
BING NEWS:
  • Fast food woes: Rs 99 combos fail to impress consumers as dining habits change
    New affordable menu items, such as Burger King's 99-rupee combination deals, or burger prices starting at just Rs 49 have failed to attract consumers and the impact of such deals has remained minimal ...
    04/24/2024 - 8:09 pm | View Link
  • Fixed income: Look before you leap
    Should fixed income investors shun a ‘buy the market’ approach in favour of selective and targeted regional and credit selection?
    04/24/2024 - 8:00 pm | View Link
  • The Finance Roundup: 10 Headlines That Dominated the Week’s Economic Landscape
    In the fast-paced world of finance, staying updated with the latest headlines is crucial for investors, businesses, and anyone interested in understanding the economic landscape. This week has seen ...
    04/24/2024 - 4:57 pm | View Link
  • The looming test
    The ‘same-page’ equation has been resurrected, with the players reversed. When Khan took oath in 2018, his main rival and opponent was in jail and he enjoyed the backing of the army chief. Today, when ...
    04/24/2024 - 4:33 pm | View Link
  • The US is dealing with a rare bifurcation of the economy, and it's raising the odds of recession, Piper Sandler chief economist says
    Big companies are weathering high interest rates. Consumers, meanwhile, are facing rising debt as inflation eats into wage gains.
    04/24/2024 - 8:02 am | View Link
  • More

 

NEXT
Welcome to Wopular!

Welcome to Wopular

Wopular is an online newspaper rack, giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.

Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular, MWB, RottenTomatoes

Subscribe to Wopular's RSS Fan Wopular on Facebook Follow Wopular on Twitter Follow Wopular on Google Plus

MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site

Movies With Butter More Movie News

More Business News