CPI Report Tracker

What CPI measures

CPI tracks the average change over time in the prices US consumers pay for a basket of everyday goods and services, from groceries and rent to gasoline and healthcare. It is published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most analysts focus on core CPI, which strips out food and energy to show the underlying trend.

Why investors watch it

• CPI is the most widely watched inflation gauge, so a surprise can move markets within minutes.
• It shapes expectations for whether the Federal Reserve raises, holds, or cuts interest rates.
• Persistent high CPI tends to pressure bonds and growth stocks. Cooling CPI often does the opposite.

How CPI affects stocks, bonds, crypto, and gold

A hotter CPI report tends to push bond yields up and weigh on long-duration assets like growth stocks. It can lift the dollar and pressure gold and crypto in the short term. A cooler report often eases rate-hike fears, which can support stocks and risk assets. CPI also feeds directly into market-based inflation expectations like the 5-Year Breakeven Rate.

What to watch in the next release

• Compare the headline number to the consensus forecast. Surprises matter more than the level.
• Watch core CPI for the underlying trend, since food and energy are volatile month to month.
• Check shelter and services costs, which have been the slowest components to cool.