Consumer Price Index (CPI)
📈 Investing
intermediate

Quick Definition

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.

Formula

CPI = (Cost of Market Basket in Current Year / Cost of Market Basket in Base Year) x 100

Examples

  • 1When the CPI increases, it indicates rising inflation, prompting central banks to consider raising interest rates.
  • 2A decrease in the CPI can signal deflation, potentially leading to lower interest rates.
  • 3Businesses use CPI data to adjust salaries and product prices to maintain purchasing power.
  • 4Investors monitor CPI trends to adjust their investment strategies, particularly in bonds and real estate.

Tags

CPIinflationeconomic-indicatorprice-levelconsumer-goodsmonetary-policy
Quick Info
Category:Investing
Difficulty:intermediate
Last Updated:6/18/2025