Real-time CPI, Core CPI, PCE, and Core PCE with Fed-grade provenance. Compare headline vs core, monitor the Fed's 2% target, and spot re-acceleration risk before the headlines. Built to drop straight into board decks.
Low divergence → measures confirm each other.
Pre-Volcker through today for cycle context.
Visuals shown for layout — live values update instantly once the dashboard loads.
Live dashboard tracking CPI, Core CPI, PCE, and Core PCE (the Fed's preferred measure). Monitor the Fed target gap, month-over-month momentum, and cross-check CPI vs PCE divergence.
Inflation measures how quickly prices are rising across the economy. The Federal Reserve targets 2% annual inflation using Core PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures excluding food and energy) as its preferred gauge. When inflation runs above this target, the Fed typically raises interest rates to cool the economy. Below-target inflation can trigger rate cuts.
CPI (Consumer Price Index) is the most widely reported inflation measure in media. It tracks a fixed basket of goods and services that consumers typically buy. However, the Federal Reserve prefers PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) because it better captures how consumers adjust their spending when prices change (substitution effect) and includes healthcare costs paid by employers.
Core PCE excludes volatile food and energy prices, giving policymakers a clearer view of underlying inflation trends. This is why Core PCE is the Fed's official target metric for monetary policy decisions.
Different measures can diverge significantly. For example, CPI often runs higher than PCE due to methodological differences. By tracking all four measures (CPI, Core CPI, PCE, Core PCE), you get a complete picture of inflationary pressures across the economy. Large divergences between headline and core measures signal whether price pressures are broad-based or concentrated in volatile categories.
Watch the month-over-month Core PCE readings closely. Three consecutive months above 0.3% (annualized ~3.6%) often triggers hawkish Fed commentary. Conversely, consistent readings below 0.2% (annualized ~2.4%) can signal potential rate cuts ahead.
