Americans feel the sting of high prices every day, so why does the Fed need so many ways to measure inflation?

Fresh off a divided Fed vote to hold rates, policymakers confront a deeper question: Which of conflicting inflation gauges should guide them?

By: Brandy Hadley, Appalachian State University and D. Brian Blank, Mississippi State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 30, 2026

Words: 1,936

Last Updated: 8 hours, 37 minutes ago

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By Brandy Hadley, Appalachian State University and D. Brian Blank, Mississippi State University

From gas to housing to groceries, consumers can’t escape inflation in their everyday lives. So why can’t policymakers agree on what the data is telling them – and if prices are falling fast enough?

With tariffs pushing up prices of goods and energy markets swinging on geopolitical news, the Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee concluded its July 2026 meeting with a contentious 9-3 …

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