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Pulse check: Measuring underlying inflation and its drivers

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  • Luis Uzeda

Abstract

This note presents PULSE, a new measure of underlying inflation in Canada based on a dynamic factor model estimated on disaggregated inflation data. PULSE captures the persistent component of inflation and decomposes it into broad-based and sector-specific inflationary pressures. We find that broad-based inflationary pressures account for most underlying inflation, while sector-specific factors—particularly shelter—have become more inflationary since 2021. Unlike CPI-common, PULSE is less prone to large historical revisions and maintains a strong correlation with economic slack.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis Uzeda, 2025. "Pulse check: Measuring underlying inflation and its drivers," Staff Analytical Notes 2025-29, Bank of Canada.
    • Handle: RePEc:bca:bocsan:25-29
    DOI: 10.34989/san-2025-29
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexander L. Wolman, 2011. "The Optimal Rate of Inflation with Trending Relative Prices," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43, pages 355-384, March.
    2. Yunjong Eo & Luis Uzeda & Benjamin Wong, 2023. "Understanding trend inflation through the lens of the goods and services sectors," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 38(5), pages 751-766, August.
    3. Aoki, Kosuke, 2001. "Optimal monetary policy responses to relative-price changes," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 55-80, August.
    4. Tomas Havranek & Marek Rusnak, 2013. "Transmission Lags of Monetary Policy: A Meta-Analysis," International Journal of Central Banking, International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 9(4), pages 39-76, December.
    5. Elyse Sullivan, 2022. "Examining recent revisions to CPI-common," Staff Analytical Notes 2022-15, Bank of Canada.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C5 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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