Category Archives: Inflation Rates

Inflation, Inflation Rates

Inflation fastest in 17 years, rate climbs 5.6%

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The annual inflation rate climbed to 5.6% in July — the fastest growing rate in 17 years, according to Labor Department figures released Thursday.

Consumer prices jumped 0.8% in July, nearly double the level economists expected. It follows June’s 1.1% increase.

The biggest culprit in inflation’s increase was energy costs, which jumped by 4% on a monthly basis and 29.3% annually. On a somewhat optimistic note, the latest July figures include data collected only from the first three weeks, and do not account for the most recent commodity price decreases, like those seen in oil and gas.

“Energy prices do seem to be coming down a bit. So I’m hopeful that going forward we won’t see as much of an increase,” said UCLA economist Lee Ohanian. “That decline will translate into lower gasoline prices and lower prices across the board.”

However, the core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy items, still experienced a 0.3% and 2.5% annual increase. Economists expected a 0.2% increase.

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Inflation, Inflation Rates, Interest Rates

Fed warns against inflation, but hold rates at 2%

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The Federal Reserve met Tuesday and did what most expected… nothing. Concern over both inflation and economic growth were voiced. But in the end, the Fed left the benchmark federal funds rate at 2 %, where it’s been since April.

The vote was 10-1, with a dissent from Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher, who wanted to increase rates to combat inflation, as he did in the last Fed meeting.

Based on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement after the meeting, investors took measure and concluded the Fed would not raise rates in the near term either. Continue reading Fed warns against inflation, but hold rates at 2% →

Inflation Rates, Site Information

New Inflation Rates with Chart, Graph and Table

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The US Inflation Calculator economic site now has a newly updated Inflation Rates information section that includes a chart, graph and table of monthly and annual inflation rates for the last decade.

The rates of inflation come directly from the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The chart and graph offers an excellent visual tool for seeing how rates have changes throughout the years.

In economics, the inflation rate is a measure of inflation. In this case, the rate of increase of the Consumer Price Index. The rate of increase/decrease in the purchasing power of dollar is about equal.

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