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

Examples of headline inflation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Japan’s headline inflation rate in March slowed to 2.7%, while the core-core index, excluding fresh food and energy costs, moderated to 2.9%, marking the first time since November 2022 that the index fell below 3%. —Zimo Zhong, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Anticipation in the days before the release of the data focused, rightfully, on a higher headline inflation print due to ... —Cale Clingenpeel, National Review, 10 Apr. 2024

While the headline inflation rate has been tamed, economic changes over the past several years ensure that daily life remains expensive for many. —Craig Reid, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

The report showed headline inflation of 3.1% in January, higher than economists’ consensus estimates of 2.9%. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

That contributed to more than half of the monthly headline inflation increase, the Labor Department said in its latest consumer-price report—which came in hotter than economists expected. —Eric Wallerstein, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024

If shelter costs were to move lower, headline inflation may cool as a result. —Simon Moore, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024

December headline inflation was above consensus, core inflation probably isn’t declining fast enough and the Federal Reserve’s December minutes didn’t mention rate cuts. —WSJ, 12 Jan. 2024

Given that the headline inflation rate in November was 3.1%, that means that workers are better able to absorb current price increases. —Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above