What Can You Expect from the US CPI Report?
The November US CPI inflation report (Consumer Price Index) will be widely watched today at 1:30 pm GMT.
Headline CPI Inflation Forecast to Have Increased in November
According to Refinitiv data, headline YY (year-on-year) CPI inflation is expected to have risen to 2.7% from 2.6% in October, marking a second consecutive month of increasing price pressures. YY core CPI inflation, which excludes energy and food components, is forecast to have risen to 3.3%, matching September and October’s reports. On a month-on-month (MM) basis, headline CPI inflation is anticipated to have increased by 0.3% from 0.2% in October, with MM core CPI inflation forecast to have reached 0.3%, similar to October’s report.
As most will be aware, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) works with a dual mandate: to promote maximum employment and maintain stable prices.
We saw from Friday’s US Employment Situation Report for November that while job growth modestly surpassed expectations (220,000), adding 227,000 jobs, the unemployment rate unexpectedly ticked higher to 4.2% from 4.1% in October. Therefore, we were left with a somewhat mixed bag.
Regarding inflation progress, it is no secret that the Fed is expecting some bumps along the road, and that the recent acceleration in recent months is not ideal. However, I do not believe recent data are sufficient to derail the easing cycle at this point. Yet, it has led some Fed officials to underline the possibility of adopting more of a cautious stance at upcoming meetings, and rightly so. The elevated inflation numbers we have seen in previous months will likely lead the Fed to kick off 2025 tentatively. This is particularly true with the election of Donald Trump, which further complicates the inflation outlook.
Inflation Remains Above Fed Target
Here is where we stand according to October’s overall inflation data, proving ‘sticky’ north of the Fed’s 2.0% inflation target. YY CPI inflation rose to 2.6% from 2.4% in September, YY PPI inflation (Producer Price Index) rose to 2.4% from 1.9%, and YY PCE data (Personal Consumption Expenditures) elbowed to 2.3% from 2.1%. Core YY CPI inflation remained at 3.3%, core PPI inflation rose to 3.1% from 2.9%, and core PCE data rose to 2.8% from 2.7%. So, while inflation has slowed considerably since the pandemic, inflationary pressures show evidence of stubbornness. PCE data, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, is holding just north of 2.0%, and core PCE has stalled around the 2.8% mark amid increased consumption, particularly in services.
Fed Rate Cut Largely Priced in Next Week
For next week’s meeting, I feel the Fed will likely cut rates unless we get hot inflation data today, which would be a catalyst for a USD bid (an in-line print will not change much). Markets are currently assigning an 85% probability that the Fed will pull the trigger again next week and reduce the target on the Fed funds rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.25-4.50%.
You may recall that the Fed has already cut rates by 75 bps this year, with a 25 bp reduction in November and a 50 bp cut in September.
Dollar Outlook Ahead of the Event
According to the US Dollar Index, things are looking up for the USD ahead of the CPI release. The monthly chart shows November probed year-to-date highs of 108.07 and likely consumed a large portion of stops above neighbouring highs to pave the way north towards another layer of resistance at 109.33.
Adding to the bullish vibe on the monthly scale, the daily chart saw price action trade through the upper boundary of a bullish pennant pattern drawn from the high of 108.07 and low of 106.11. This could technically underpin further buying towards at least 108.07 and, with a bit of oomph, towards monthly resistance from 109.33.
Written by FP Markets Market Analyst Aaron Hill
Headline CPI Inflation Forecast to Have Increased in November
According to Refinitiv data, headline YY (year-on-year) CPI inflation is expected to have risen to 2.7% from 2.6% in October, marking a second consecutive month of increasing price pressures. YY core CPI inflation, which excludes energy and food components, is forecast to have risen to 3.3%, matching September and October’s reports. On a month-on-month (MM) basis, headline CPI inflation is anticipated to have increased by 0.3% from 0.2% in October, with MM core CPI inflation forecast to have reached 0.3%, similar to October’s report.
As most will be aware, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) works with a dual mandate: to promote maximum employment and maintain stable prices.
We saw from Friday’s US Employment Situation Report for November that while job growth modestly surpassed expectations (220,000), adding 227,000 jobs, the unemployment rate unexpectedly ticked higher to 4.2% from 4.1% in October. Therefore, we were left with a somewhat mixed bag.
Regarding inflation progress, it is no secret that the Fed is expecting some bumps along the road, and that the recent acceleration in recent months is not ideal. However, I do not believe recent data are sufficient to derail the easing cycle at this point. Yet, it has led some Fed officials to underline the possibility of adopting more of a cautious stance at upcoming meetings, and rightly so. The elevated inflation numbers we have seen in previous months will likely lead the Fed to kick off 2025 tentatively. This is particularly true with the election of Donald Trump, which further complicates the inflation outlook.
Inflation Remains Above Fed Target
Here is where we stand according to October’s overall inflation data, proving ‘sticky’ north of the Fed’s 2.0% inflation target. YY CPI inflation rose to 2.6% from 2.4% in September, YY PPI inflation (Producer Price Index) rose to 2.4% from 1.9%, and YY PCE data (Personal Consumption Expenditures) elbowed to 2.3% from 2.1%. Core YY CPI inflation remained at 3.3%, core PPI inflation rose to 3.1% from 2.9%, and core PCE data rose to 2.8% from 2.7%. So, while inflation has slowed considerably since the pandemic, inflationary pressures show evidence of stubbornness. PCE data, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, is holding just north of 2.0%, and core PCE has stalled around the 2.8% mark amid increased consumption, particularly in services.
Fed Rate Cut Largely Priced in Next Week
For next week’s meeting, I feel the Fed will likely cut rates unless we get hot inflation data today, which would be a catalyst for a USD bid (an in-line print will not change much). Markets are currently assigning an 85% probability that the Fed will pull the trigger again next week and reduce the target on the Fed funds rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.25-4.50%.
You may recall that the Fed has already cut rates by 75 bps this year, with a 25 bp reduction in November and a 50 bp cut in September.
Dollar Outlook Ahead of the Event
According to the US Dollar Index, things are looking up for the USD ahead of the CPI release. The monthly chart shows November probed year-to-date highs of 108.07 and likely consumed a large portion of stops above neighbouring highs to pave the way north towards another layer of resistance at 109.33.
Adding to the bullish vibe on the monthly scale, the daily chart saw price action trade through the upper boundary of a bullish pennant pattern drawn from the high of 108.07 and low of 106.11. This could technically underpin further buying towards at least 108.07 and, with a bit of oomph, towards monthly resistance from 109.33.
Written by FP Markets Market Analyst Aaron Hill
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