Which economic indicator is typically published monthly and provides insight into consumer price changes?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the economic indicator that is typically published monthly and offers valuable insights into consumer price changes. The CPI measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. By tracking these price changes, the CPI serves as a crucial gauge of inflation, reflecting how prices are rising or falling in the economy. This data is vital for policymakers, economists, and businesses alike because it helps assess the purchasing power of consumers and informs decisions regarding fiscal and monetary policies.

In contrast, while employment reports provide insights into job creation and unemployment trends, they do not directly measure price changes. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reflects the total economic output over a set period, usually quarterly, rather than focusing specifically on consumer prices. Trade reports detail the balance of exports and imports, but they do not provide direct information about price movements within the consumer market. Thus, the CPI stands out as the key monthly indicator for tracking changes in consumer prices.