headline inflation
noun
economics
: a measure of inflation that is based on an unadjusted price index
… but core inflation has indeed been a much more reliable guide than headline inflation, which fluctuates wildly.—
Paul Krugman
compare core inflation
Paul KrugmanExamples of headline inflation in a Sentence
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Stocks slumped later in the session while yields spiked, a sign that traders were looking through the March CPI report and instead focusing on an increase in oil prices that could push headline inflation higher in the coming months.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Getty Images Key Facts Electricity prices increased 6.3% in the 12 months ending January 2026, more than double the headline inflation rate of 2.5%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
—Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 13 Feb. 2026
While headline inflation is likely to undershoot the target this year, core price growth remains elevated and requires close attention, Jan Prochazka said in an interview, highlighting the services and housing spheres.
—Peter Laca, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Gary Raines, chief economist at FDRA, told FN that with headline inflation in 2025 the slowest in five years, retail footwear prices were mostly flat on the year, the weakest also in five years.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
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Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Getty Images Key Facts Electricity prices increased 6.3% in the 12 months ending January 2026, more than double the headline inflation rate of 2.5%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
—Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 13 Feb. 2026
While headline inflation is likely to undershoot the target this year, core price growth remains elevated and requires close attention, Jan Prochazka said in an interview, highlighting the services and housing spheres.
—Peter Laca, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Gary Raines, chief economist at FDRA, told FN that with headline inflation in 2025 the slowest in five years, retail footwear prices were mostly flat on the year, the weakest also in five years.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headline inflation
Cite this Entry
“Headline inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline%20inflation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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