The document summarizes inflation data for March 2012. It reports that consumer and producer prices increased 0.4% in March, with annual inflation at 2.9% and 3.3% respectively. Some items like food and medical services saw price increases above overall inflation. The Federal Reserve is committed to low interest rates through 2014 to boost the economy, but high inflation could force them to raise rates sooner.

1. March 2012 Inflation Watch
An Eye on Prices
March 22, 2012
Next Release: April 13, 2012

2. Inflation Watch
• Inflation (price-level growth) is important for
REALTORS® because it can lead to shifts in interest rate
policy by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
• Generally, the FOMC lowers interest rates to stimulate the
economy. However, rates that are too low may lead to
inflation. To combat inflation, the central bank increases
interest rates but this policy may dampen economic growth.
• For example, the FOMC has extended its commitment to
keeping rates low through late 2014 to help shore up
economic activity, but this commitment comes with its own
set of risks.

3. Inflation Watch
• During the recent financial crisis, fears of deflation
(price-level decline) were rampant. (Deflation caused a
downward spiral of prices that destroyed the economy in
the Great Depression.)
• With financial markets somewhat stable, some fear that
inflation is around the corner. Stagflation, another
unpleasant economic condition characterized by high
unemployment and high inflation, is also a possibility.
• In stagflation, it is difficult for the central bank to raise
interest rates to combat inflation due fear of further job
market deterioration if demand is hurt by the increased
interest rates.

4. March 2012 Highlights
• A relaxation in monthly increases in the prices of food, household utilities, and
medical services was not enough to offset other price acceleration such that the
headline measure of consumer prices to was up 0.4 percent and producer prices
were up 0.4 percent in the month as well.
• Prices are noticeably higher than a year ago—by 2.9 percent for consumers and 3.3
percent for producers.
• Core consumer prices (those excluding food and energy) are just outside the bound
of the target range of 1 to 2 percent.
• In part because prices are still within these bounds, the Fed has committed to
continue the low-rate policy to late 2014 as noted in the January statement.
• Some consumer prices are advancing at a considerable rate. Necessities such as
meats, food at home, transportation, and hospital services are areas of concern
because of the year over year increase, but the February easing in monthly price
growth is a good sign.
• The following tables summarize key figures while the graphs show increasing and
decreasing prices for a few items.

5. Consumer and Producer Price Change Overview
Monthly Annual Concern
Indicator Source and definition
Change Change ?
Consumer Price Index BLS, Price change of consumer goods
0.4% 2.9% Maybe
(CPI) and services
CPI Core BLS, CPI less food and energy 0.1% 2.2% Maybe
CPI Housing (owners’ BLS, CPI housing component
0.1% 1.8% No
equivalent rent) (primary residence)
Producer Price Index BLS, Price changes domestic
0.4% 3.3% Maybe
(PPI) producers receive for their output
PPI Core BLS, PPI less food and energy 0.2% 3.0% Maybe
PPI Crude Materials BLS, PPI crude / raw materials 0.4% 0.7% No
PPI Residential
BLS, PPI BRES 0.8% 4.4% Yes
Construction
Gold WSJ, Price per ounce of gold 5.0% 27.5% Yes
West Texas Crude Oil WSJ, Price per barrel of oil 2.0% 14.1% Yes
BLS, Trade-weighted index measures
Import Prices 0.4% 5.5% Yes
prices of imported goods & services
Construction Cost Census, constant quality, new single
-1.1% -0.8% No
Index family homes under construction

6. Looking at the CPI in More Depth
Change from Change from
Indicator Concern?
previous month previous year
Consumer Price Index (CPI) 0.2% 2.9% Maybe
Lodging away from home 0.2% 2.3% No
Food at home 0.0% 5.3% Yes
Meats, poultry, fish and eggs 0.2% 7.2% Yes
Housing fuels and utilities -0.4% 1.9% No
Household furnishings &
0.1% 1.0% No
operations
Transportation 0.3% 5.0% Yes
Medical care 0.3% 3.6% Maybe
Hospital and related services 0.3% 5.3% Yes
Education 0.3% 4.4% Maybe
Airline fare -0.9% 1.8% No
Personal Computers and
0.0% -11.8% No
peripheral equipment
Apparel 0.9% 4.7% Maybe

7. CPI-U: All Items Less Food and Energy
% Change - Year to Year SA, 1982-84=100
CPI-U: All Items
% Change - Year to Year SA, 1982-84=100
6
4
2
0
-2
07 08 09 10 11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 02/28/12

8. CPI-U: Owners' Equivalent Rent/Primary Residence
% Change - Year to Year SA, Dec-82=100
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 02/28/12

9. PPI: Finished Goods
% Change - Year to Year SA, 1982=100
PPI: Finished Goods less Food and Energy
% Change - Year to Year SA, 1982=100
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
07 08 09 10 11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 03/22/12

10. Cash Price: Gold Bullion, London Commodity Price, PM Fix
US$/troy Oz
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
07 08 09 10 11
Source: Wall Street Journal 03/22/12

11. Domestic Spot Oil Price: West Texas Intermediate
$/Barrel
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Source: Wall Street Journal 03/22/12

12. Import Price Index: All Imports
NSA, 2000=100
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
03/22/12

13. Houses under Construction: Fixed-Weighted Price Index
NSA, 2005=100
NAR Median Sales Price: Total Existing Homes, United States
$
110 240000
105
220000
100
200000
95
180000
90
160000
85
80 140000
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Sources: Census Bureau, National Association of Realtors 03/22/12