Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) vs Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year
Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) is currently 3.8% (down -0.9%). Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year is currently 2.8% (down -0.1%).
| Metric | Business Fixed Investment (Quarterly Change) | Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Previous reading | 4.7% | 2.9% |
| 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 Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year measures
The Consumer Price Index measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services. The year-over-year change is the most commonly cited measure of inflation.
Inflation at 2.8% remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target but has moderated significantly from the 2022 peak of 9.1%. For executives, this means input costs are still rising faster than the Fed's comfort zone, but the pricing environment is stabilizing. Companies with strong pricing power can pass through cost increases; those in competitive markets face margin pressure. The Fed is unlikely to cut rates aggressively until CPI moves closer to 2%.
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.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year is currently 2.8%, 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 Inflation at 2.8% remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target but has moderated significantly from the 2022 peak of 9.1%. For executives, this means input costs are still rising faster than the Fed'