Consumer Price Index - CPI - what does it mean?

As we go in to this next stage of the economic cycle, I thought it useful to learn about the basic factors that give us an insight into what is happening out there, beyond the headlines. I am by no means a financial expert, however I do understand that an economic cycle is normal, and was outlined back in the 1860's by Clement Juglar.

Let's look at a factor that causes big headlines - the CPI Index.

4 regions are also broken out each month:

1. Northeast

2. Midwest

3. South

4. West

Plus metro areas:

1. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

3. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

Check the full article on Investopedia here

By JASON FERNANDO

Reviewed by PETER WESTFALL

Fact checked by PETE RATHBURN

The numbers are distributed by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) each month here

This bureau is responsible for CPI and PPI (Producer Price Index)

#GuideToInflation