Economics Consumer Price Index Cpi Study Cards

Enhance Your Learning with Economics - Consumer Price Index (CPI) Flash Cards for quick understanding



Consumer Price Index (CPI)

A measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.

Market Basket

A representative selection of goods and services used to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Base Period

A reference period against which the prices of the market basket in other periods are compared to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Weighting

The process of assigning importance or weight to different components of the market basket based on their relative significance in consumer spending.

Inflation

A sustained increase in the general level of prices for goods and services in an economy over a period of time.

Price Index

A measure of the average price level of a given group of goods and services relative to a base period.

CPI-U

Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, which represents the spending patterns of urban households in the United States.

CPI-W

Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which represents the spending patterns of households that derive more than half of their income from clerical or wage occupations.

C-CPI-U

Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, which accounts for changes in consumer behavior and substitution of goods and services over time.

Core Inflation

A measure of inflation that excludes volatile food and energy prices to provide a more stable indicator of underlying inflation trends.

Cost of Living

The amount of money needed to sustain a certain level of living, including expenses for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other goods and services.

Wage Adjustments

Changes made to wages or salaries to account for changes in the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Monetary Policy

The actions taken by a central bank to manage the money supply and interest rates to influence economic activity and control inflation.

Economic Analysis

The examination of economic data and indicators, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to understand and evaluate the performance and trends of an economy.

International Comparisons

The comparison of Consumer Price Index (CPI) data between different countries to assess differences in price levels and inflation rates.

Laspeyres Index

A price index formula that uses fixed weights based on the consumption patterns of a base period to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Paasche Index

A price index formula that uses current weights based on the consumption patterns of the current period to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Fisher Index

A price index formula that uses geometric mean of the Laspeyres and Paasche indexes to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Substitution Bias

The tendency of consumers to substitute goods and services with lower prices for those with higher prices, which is not fully captured by the fixed market basket of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Quality Bias

The improvement in the quality of goods and services over time, which is not fully accounted for in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and may result in an overestimation of inflation.

New Product Bias

The introduction of new goods and services that are not immediately included in the market basket of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), leading to an underestimation of inflation.

Outlet Bias

The tendency of consumers to shift their purchases from traditional retail outlets to discount stores and online platforms, which may not be fully reflected in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Hedonic Pricing

A method used to adjust the prices of goods and services in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) based on changes in their quality and features.

Weighted Price Index

A price index that assigns different weights to different components of the market basket based on their relative importance in consumer spending.

Base Year

The year chosen as a reference point for calculating the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with its price level set to 100.

Inflation Rate

The percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from one period to another, indicating the rate of inflation.

Deflation

A sustained decrease in the general level of prices for goods and services in an economy over a period of time.

Hyperinflation

An extremely high and typically accelerating inflation, often leading to the rapid devaluation of a country's currency and severe economic instability.

Stagflation

A situation characterized by high inflation, high unemployment, and stagnant economic growth, which is considered a challenging economic condition.

Demand-Pull Inflation

Inflation caused by an increase in aggregate demand, typically resulting from increased consumer spending, government spending, or investment.

Cost-Push Inflation

Inflation caused by an increase in production costs, such as wages or raw material prices, leading to higher prices for goods and services.

Core CPI

A measure of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) that excludes food and energy prices, which are considered more volatile and subject to short-term fluctuations.

Seasonal Adjustment

The process of removing the seasonal patterns and fluctuations from economic data, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to reveal underlying trends and changes.

Weighted Average

An average calculated by assigning different weights to different components based on their relative importance or significance.

Nominal Value

The face value or stated value of a variable, such as prices or wages, without adjusting for inflation or changes in purchasing power.

Real Value

The value of a variable, such as prices or wages, adjusted for inflation or changes in purchasing power, representing its purchasing power in constant dollars.

Purchasing Power

The ability of money or income to buy goods and services, influenced by changes in prices and inflation.

Inflation Expectations

The anticipated rate of inflation in the future, which can influence consumer behavior, investment decisions, and monetary policy.

Inflation Targeting

A monetary policy framework in which a central bank sets an explicit target for the inflation rate and uses monetary tools to achieve and maintain that target.

Disinflation

A decrease in the rate of inflation, resulting in a slower increase in the general level of prices for goods and services.

Creeping Inflation

A low and gradual increase in the general level of prices for goods and services over time, typically considered a manageable inflation rate.

Galloping Inflation

A high and accelerating inflation, often leading to a rapid erosion of purchasing power and economic instability.

Moderate Inflation

A moderate and steady increase in the general level of prices for goods and services, typically considered a manageable inflation rate.

Open Market Operations

The buying and selling of government securities by a central bank to control the money supply, interest rates, and inflation.

Tight Monetary Policy

A monetary policy characterized by higher interest rates, reduced money supply, and stricter lending conditions to control inflation and stabilize the economy.

Loose Monetary Policy

A monetary policy characterized by lower interest rates, increased money supply, and easier lending conditions to stimulate economic growth and combat deflation.

Demand-Side Inflation

Inflation caused by an increase in aggregate demand, typically resulting from increased consumer spending, government spending, or investment.

Supply-Side Inflation

Inflation caused by a decrease in aggregate supply, typically resulting from higher production costs, reduced availability of resources, or supply disruptions.