Economic Trends

Inflation Indicator Reaches 40-Year High

The personal consumption expenditures index, which is monitored by the Federal Reserve, jumped 6.4% in February.

March 31, 2022

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Inflation PCE index february 2022 BEA

An inflation index that measures personal consumption expenditures and is monitored by the Federal Reserve increased 6.4% in February, the largest leap since 1982, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Consumer spending in February rose just 0.2%, down from 2.7% in January. Spikes in prices for food, gas and other items contributed to February’s rise in the PCE index. So-called “core inflation” — prices for items aside from volatile food and gas — rose 5.4% from 12 months prior.

American incomes also rose 0.5% in February, the biggest jump since November and up 0.1% from January.

In February, food costs rose 1.4%, while energy prices increased 3.7%, according to the BEA.

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