Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) vs Core CPI (Excluding Food & Energy)
Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) is currently 3.8% (down -0.9%). Core CPI (Excluding Food & Energy) is currently 3.1% (down -0.1%).
| Metric | Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) | Core CPI (Excluding Food & Energy) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 3.8% | 3.1% |
| Previous reading | 4.7% | 3.2% |
| Change | -0.9% | -0.1% |
| Trend | down | down |
| Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Source | Bureau of Economic Analysis | Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Last updated | 2026-03-27 | 2026-03-12 |
| Category | growth | inflation |
What Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) measures
Business fixed investment measures spending by businesses on structures (factories, offices), equipment, and intellectual property products (software, R&D). It reflects corporate confidence in future demand and is a key component of GDP.
Business investment grew at 3.8% annualized — positive but decelerating from 4.7% last quarter. AI-related capital expenditure (data centers, chips, software) is a bright spot, while traditional equipment investment is more muted. For executives, sustained investment growth signals corporate confidence, but the deceleration suggests some companies are becoming more cautious amid tariff uncertainty and tight financial conditions.
What Core CPI (Excluding Food & Energy) measures
Core CPI measures consumer price changes excluding food and energy, which are volatile and often driven by supply factors rather than monetary policy. It is the Fed's preferred gauge of underlying inflation trends.
Core CPI at 3.1% shows that underlying inflation remains sticky above the Fed's 2% target. Housing costs and services inflation are the primary culprits. For executives, sticky core inflation means the Fed is unlikely to cut interest rates soon, keeping borrowing costs elevated. Budget planners should assume inflation-adjusted cost increases of 3%+ for services, labor, and real estate.
Frequently asked
Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) is currently 3.8%, down -0.9% from the previous reading. Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, updated quarterly.
Core CPI (Excluding Food & Energy) is currently 3.1%, down -0.1% from the previous reading. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated monthly.
Business investment grew at 3.8% annualized — positive but decelerating from 4.7% last quarter. AI-related capital expenditure (data centers, chips, software) is a bright spot, while traditional equip Core CPI at 3.1% shows that underlying inflation remains sticky above the Fed's 2% target. Housing costs and services inflation are the primary culprits. For executives, sticky core inflation means th