There are several other special indices. The CPI less food and energy is widely followed because food and energy prices tend to move around more than other categories. Like many economic releases, inflation figures are seasonally adjusted. That means the formula used to calculate the index takes into account typical ebb and flow patterns throughout the year and tries to factor them out. Retail sales, for example, surge around Christmas.
Housing starts are stronger in summer than winter.
The idea is to get a truer measure of real trends in economic activity, but they can sometimes produce unintended results. Map Help Market data delayed up to 20 minutes. Futures and Commodities delayed up to 30 minutes. Inc. All rights reserved.