Sep 18 / Victor Arduin

Macroeconomics Weekly Report - 2023 09 18

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"Inflation expectations are a risk when they become unanchored, as they have the potential to lift up inflation. This can lead consumers to act in ways that continue exerting upward pressure on prices, beyond the desired levels."

Inflation Data in US Provides Signals for the Next Fed Meeting

  • While energy costs have propelled headline inflation in the past month, core inflation continues to decelerate. The recent surge in energy commodities is expected to bring more volatility to the prices scenario.
  • Services and housing inflation remain elevated, but are expected to diminish on the future, promoting a more favorable inflation outlook for 2024.
  • In addition, unanchored inflation expectations pose a risk, potentially drifting upward and influencing consumer behavior, which could add to price pressure.
  • However, it’s expected that interest rates will remain unchanged during the Fed meeting in September 19-20th. The uncertainty centers around the November meeting where chances of a hike are increasing.

Introduction

One of the most significant economic data releases last week was the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Despite headline inflation rising to 3.7%, core inflation continues to show improvement, which bolsters optimism for the possibility of unchanged interest rates in the upcoming Fed meeting.

However, there are concerns surrounding the US economy, as the labor market continues to show strength. The high level of services activity and salaries well above the 2% inflation target may exert pressure on inflation.

That inflation scenario is expected to improve in the first quarter of 2024, with the effects of interest rates being transmitted to the economy and improvements in the shelter costs component.

Image 1: US Inflation Scenario (%)

Source: Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Image 2: Average Hourly Earnings Growth (%)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Headline inflation escalates with higher energy costs

Despite the good work done by the Fed so far, achieving the 2% inflation target will be a bit more challenging than it seems. The headline inflation raised to 3.7% in August on a 12-month basis, largely influenced by increases in fuel costs. On the other hand, the Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy, continues to decelerate, reaching 4.3% last month. Based on this result, it is unlikely that the Fed will raise interest rates in the meeting on September 19-20th; however, a potential hike in November remains an open decision.

Services and housing inflation have displayed resilience up to this point. However, as indicated in a paper from the Federal Reserve of San Francisco, shelter inflation is falling sharply in 2023 and are projected to turn negative by late 2024. This deflationary trend in shelter costs could significantly contribute to achieving the 2% inflation target, given that housing is one of the most significant components in the CPI.

Image 3: U.S. CPI (Top-Line Contributors)

Source:

Inflation expectations are a risk when they become unanchored, as they have the potential to lift up inflation. This can lead consumers to act in ways that continue exerting upward pressure on prices, beyond the desired levels. Recently, the median inflation expectation from the University of Michigan (Chart #4) reflect this concerning trend.

Key sectors, such as services, remain robust, as reported by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), with its non-manufacturing PMI increasing to 54.5 in August. A reading above the 50-mark indicates growth in the services industry, which constitutes more than two-thirds of the economy. Given the absence of clear indications of a job market slowdown, investors should exercise caution regarding the risks in the current high-price environment and the potential for further interest rate adjustments.

However, a slowdown in salaries was recorded last month, with average hourly wages experiencing a 4.3% growth on a year-over-year basis but only a 0.2% increase on a monthly basis. This marks the smallest jump this year. This indicates that the Fed is headed in the right direction, though there might be some uncertainty regarding the pace.

Image 4: Consumer Inflation Expectations (Median)

Source: University of Michingan

US treasury yields climb ahead Fed meeting

The concerns regarding inflation expectations are indeed manifesting in the US Treasury Bonds Market, as rates have shown a steady increase in recent weeks. Economic resilience, combined with the relatively slow progress in reaching the 2% inflation target, is contributing to the rise in Treasury bond yields. Consequently, this situation implies that interest rates are likely to remain elevated for an extended duration.

The high Treasury bond yields are affecting more volatile assets such as stocks and commodities. Expectations regarding the upcoming Fed meeting and mixed economic data are dampening investors' risk appetite, resulting in a cautious week.

Image 5: U.S. Treasuries Bond Yields

Source:Refinitiv

In Summary

When analyzing headline inflation, one of the most significant improvements has been observed in energy costs. The impact of high-interest rates on major oil benchmark prices has played a pivotal role in reducing overall prices in the economy.

Nevertheless, OPEC+ measures are pushing oil prices to higher levels and introducing increased volatility to inflation scenario as evident in the last CPI. Despite this, core inflation continues to show a decelerating trend, suggesting that the Fed board is likely to maintain borrowing costs unchanged this week.

Weekly Report — Macro

Written by Victor Arduin
victor.arduin@hedgepointglobal.com
Reviewed by Alef Dias
alef.dias@hedgepointglobal.com
www.hedgepointglobal.com

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