Inflation continued to moderate in July as both topline and core inflation increased 0.2% while the former increased 2.9% from one year ago and the latter advanced 3.2%. The internals of the report tend to suggest that there will be further relief in the offing as housing and service inflation has plenty of room to ease further in the second half of the year. … READ MORE >
CPI
Retail demand shows weakness, leading to first inflation dip in 6 months
In a noteworthy turn, core goods prices have experienced a continued decline, contributing to the first dip in inflation in six months, according to April’s consumer price index. … READ MORE >
U.S. October consumer price index: Further evidence of disinflation
The October CPI report strongly implies a continuation of the current economic expansion and a soft landing for the American economy. … READ MORE >
Near-target inflation fuels hope of soft landing for economy
Inflation stabilized further in July as the consumer price index data met expectations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Thursday.
The slight uptick in annual inflation to 3.2% from 3.0% could be dismissed due to the base year effect, as inflation has come down fast from a peak in June last year. … READ MORE >
US July CPI: Inflation posts likely peak as commodity, gas and transportation prices fall
Commodity, oil, and gasoline prices declined noticeably in July, driving the pace of top-line inflation lower even as core inflation continued to increase at a torrid pace. This will provide a large boost to overall consumption and economic activity as Americans likely spent roughly $400 million less on gas compared to the previous month which will result in improved consumption and direct relief to beleaguered households. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Middle of the supply chain feels outsized impact of rising food costs
U.S. inflation came in below expectations, according to the latest CPI, however, it will be well into 2022 before consumers see this inflation slowdown in groceries and restaurant tickets. … READ MORE >
Consumer Price Index: Inflation begins its temporary march upward
Increases in energy and transportation costs that were made more extreme by comparisons to last year’s economic downturn helped push the Consumer Price Index higher at an annual rate of 2.6% in March. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Consumer prices surged in July, glossing over looming food insecurity
Despite strong July upticks in consumer prices overall, our chart of the day shows a 0.4% month-over-month decline in consumer food prices, likely the result of households preparing for a loss of income due to the congressional impasse over the extension of expanded unemployment insurance benefits. If policymakers fail to reach an agreement by Sept. 1, food insecurity will likely become an unfortunate front page topic after the Labor Day holiday. … READ MORE >
April U.S. Consumer Price Index: Another whiff of pandemic-caused deflation
The 0.8% decline in the Consumer Price Index in April, announced on Tuesday, should serve as a cautionary tale to those espousing dead dogma around risks to inflation. … READ MORE >