core inflation
noun
economics
: a measure of inflation that excludes items having volatile prices (such as fuel and food) from the price index being used
The Federal Reserve's past emphasis on core inflation, which strips food and energy from the price indexes in order to gauge the underlying trend of prices, has always confused both Wall Street and Main Street.—
James C. Cooper
compare headline inflation
James C. CooperExamples of core inflation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In January, core inflation was 2.8%, according to the Fed’s preferred measure.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
Plus, economists pointed to core inflation readings averaged over the past three and six months to tease out more recent trends.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024
They may soon be seen in even softer core inflation readings.
—Heard Editors, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
Economists see core inflation as a sign of where overall inflation may be headed.
—Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024
Related article Rate cuts likely won’t happen until the summer, Atlanta Fed chief says
Excluding gas and food prices, categories that tend to be more volatile, core inflation rose 0.4% from the month before, bringing the annual rate to 3.8%, the same as February’s reading.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
El-Erian also spoke ahead of new US consumer price index data on Wednesday, a crucial indicator for US policymakers that is expected to show core inflation easing slightly in March.
—Carter Johnson, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
Food and energy like gas (yes, that's getting more expensive too), are excluded from the core inflation rates analyzed by policymakers, like the Federal Reserve in determining interest rates.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Both core inflation measures were in line with expectations.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
Plus, economists pointed to core inflation readings averaged over the past three and six months to tease out more recent trends.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024
They may soon be seen in even softer core inflation readings.
—Heard Editors, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
Economists see core inflation as a sign of where overall inflation may be headed.
—Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024
Related article Rate cuts likely won’t happen until the summer, Atlanta Fed chief says
Excluding gas and food prices, categories that tend to be more volatile, core inflation rose 0.4% from the month before, bringing the annual rate to 3.8%, the same as February’s reading.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
El-Erian also spoke ahead of new US consumer price index data on Wednesday, a crucial indicator for US policymakers that is expected to show core inflation easing slightly in March.
—Carter Johnson, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
Food and energy like gas (yes, that's getting more expensive too), are excluded from the core inflation rates analyzed by policymakers, like the Federal Reserve in determining interest rates.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Both core inflation measures were in line with expectations.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'core inflation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Core inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/core%20inflation. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
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