Higher Than Expected , Inflation , Could Signal Fed to Cut Interest Rates.
Yahoo Finance reports that consumer prices rose higher
than forecast in December, a sign investors hope will
signal the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates.
Yahoo Finance reports that consumer prices rose higher
than forecast in December, a sign investors hope will
signal the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates.
December's Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed
prices increasing by 0.3% over the month before. .
Compared to the same time in 2022,
prices increased over 3.4%.
Economists had predicted prices to
increase just 0.2% month over month
and an annual increase of 3.2%.
This print is aligned with
our view that disinflation
ahead will be gradual with
sticky services inflation, Ellen Zentner, Morgan Stanley
chief US economist, via Yahoo Finance.
Increased core inflation included the shelter
index, which increased 6.2% on an annual basis,
accounting for over half of the cost gains.
Rent prices also remain elevated, with the index
for rent and owners' equivalent rent rising 0.5%
on a monthly basis for the third consecutive month.
Rent prices also remain elevated, with the index
for rent and owners' equivalent rent rising 0.5%
on a monthly basis for the third consecutive month.
Other rising price indexes included motor
vehicle insurance, which rose 20.3% year over
year, the largest increase since 1976.
December also saw the food index rise
by 2.7% compared to the same time in 2022,
with egg prices jumping up 8.9% month over month.
December also saw the food index rise
by 2.7% compared to the same time in 2022,
with egg prices jumping up 8.9% month over month.
According to CMF FedWatch Tool,
there is a 69% chance that the
Fed cuts interest rates in March.
I don't think it's enough to
delay cuts. We're looking for
a march cut to kind of kick of
the cutting cycle. This kind of
keeps the door open, it definitely
doesn't slam the door shut, Stephen Juneau, Bank of America U.S. economist, via Yahoo Finance