Can the Latest Inflation Numbers Be Trusted? Economists Question Delayed CPI Report

The latest inflation report brought welcome news to markets, but many economists are not convinced the numbers tell the full story.

The November Consumer Price Index (CPI), released Thursday, showed inflation cooling faster than expected. Stocks rose, bond yields fell, and expectations for future interest rate cuts increased. Still, behind the market reaction, economists raised concerns about how the data was calculated and whether it can be relied on.

The report was delayed due to the recent government shutdown, and the lack of October data has created uncertainty about how accurate the figures really are.

Inflation Came in Well Below Expectations

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that headline inflation rose 2.7% year over year in November. Core CPI, which removes food and energy prices, came in even lower at 2.6%.

That was a surprise. Economists surveyed ahead of the release were expecting inflation closer to 3.1% for the headline number and 3.0% for core inflation.

Because October’s CPI report was canceled during the shutdown, the BLS had to make assumptions about missing data. Those assumptions were not fully explained, making economists cautious about drawing strong conclusions.

Methodology Questions Raise Red Flags

Several economists pointed out that the unexpectedly low reading may reflect technical issues rather than real price relief.

Some analysts believe the BLS may have carried forward prices in certain categories, effectively assuming no inflation where data was unavailable. That approach could create an artificial drag on the overall index.

Economists described the report as “noisy” and warned that inflation could appear to rise again once normal data collection resumes.

Housing Inflation Is the Biggest Concern

The largest point of debate centers on owners’ equivalent rent (OER), which plays a major role in measuring housing inflation and accounts for a large share of the CPI.

Several economists believe that inflation for OER may have been set close to zero in parts of the calculation due to missing data. If true, this would push overall inflation lower than reality.

Because housing costs typically move slowly, errors in this category could affect inflation readings for months to come. Some analysts expect a catch-up effect later in the year, where rent and housing inflation appear stronger as data normalizes.

Timing May Have Skewed Prices Lower

Economists also noted that the data collection period occurred later in November, a time when retailers often offer holiday discounts. That timing may have pushed goods prices lower than usual, further reducing the CPI reading.

This does not mean inflation is rising sharply, but it does suggest the November report may understate current price pressures.

Markets Reacted—Then Pulled Back

Financial markets initially took the report as a positive signal. Stocks climbed, Treasury yields dropped, and traders increased bets on rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

As the day went on, however, enthusiasm faded. Stocks gave up some gains, economically sensitive sectors weakened, and bond yields moved off their lows. That shift reflected growing awareness of the report’s limitations.

What This Means Going Forward

Most economists expect policymakers to treat the November CPI with caution. While inflation does appear to be easing over time, the unusual data gaps caused by the shutdown make it risky to rely too heavily on this single report.

Future inflation readings especially those with full data will be critical in confirming whether price pressures are truly cooling or simply distorted by technical factors.

For now, the message is mixed: inflation may be moving in the right direction, but the path forward remains uncertain. For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit 👉 Nadlan Capital Group.