Commodities Market Indicators: U.S. Government Data The
commodity waters can be perilous at times, and knowing how to
navigate them is crucial. Keeping your eye on where the markets
are heading will help you develop a winning investment strategy.
Data compiled by the U.S. government is free and easy to access.
Consumer Price Index The Consumer Price Index (CPI), compiled by
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is a statistically
weighted average of a basket of goods and services purchased by
consumers around the country. The CPI is the closest thing to a
cost-of-living index and is sometimes used to gauge inflationary
trends. If the CPI is rising, economists start worrying that
inflation is creeping up. The CPI is sometimes broken down
further into the Core CPI, which excludes items like food and
energy. Comparing the CPI with the Core CPI can give you a good
idea of how much consumers are spending on commodities such as
energy and agricultural products. EIA Inventory Reports The
inventory reports are releas