How the Inflation Rate Affects the Economy

The rate at which prices increase can affect many facets of the economy, from influencing people’s purchasing power to lowering or raising interest rates on debt. Understanding and properly managing inflation is a key element of a healthy, growing economy.

Inflation is measured through price indices created by government agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, among others. The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, is one such index that reports the average change in the prices paid by urban consumers on a selection of items over time. It is often used to determine eligibility for government assistance, provide cost-of-living adjustments to workers and to adjust benefits for programs such as Social Security.

More granular price data is available through the Personal Consumption Expenditures or PCE index, which takes into account more categories of spending and also uses business surveys to determine a broader range of prices. Another measure of inflation, the Gross Domestic Product (or GDP) price index, incorporates prices for all goods and services produced in the country as well as the cost of imported goods and services into a year-over-year calculation of real, or inflation-adjusted, GDP.

Inflation can cause people’s paychecks to stretch less and less, and it can also devalue assets like a savings account balance or the value of a home. To help better understand what’s behind inflation, Select spoke to Michael Gapen, head of U.S. economics research at Bank of America, who pointed to several causes for recent high levels of inflation.

What is a Special Report?

In journalism, the term special report refers to an in-depth piece that investigates a specific subject. Often, these articles are about controversial topics that require a high level of knowledge and expertise to write about effectively. They are generally accompanied by illustrations and other visual representations to increase credibility. They should be clearly structured and concise, and they must avoid jargons and terminologies that may not be understood by the target audience.

Research reports are scholarly documents that present the findings of an analytical, qualitative or quantitative study to a scholarly audience. They are an important component of the scientific method because they allow researchers to share their discoveries and insights with others. Research reports should begin with an introduction section that highlights existing research knowledge in the area of investigation and pinpoints areas that are still unexplored. It should also outline the aims of the researcher’s systematic investigation.

The program Special Report is a news and current affairs show that follows major political stories out of Washington, DC. The show first premiered in 1996, and it was originally anchored by Brit Hume before Bret Baier took over the role in 2007. The show is known for its investigative reporting and thorough coverage of important events that impact Americans and the world.

A special report is a financial statement that deviates from the standard format prescribed by Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. It can cover particular sections, accounts or items of the statement and can be performed independently from or alongside a regular financial audit. For example, a company may prepare a special report to comply with contractual agreements or regulatory provisions that do not apply to a normal financial statement.