As October comes to a close, the recent inflation readings have brought forth little change towards reaching the Federal Reserve’s desired two percent inflation target. The question now lingers on the depth of interest rate cuts the Fed will make in the coming year. A look at the recent data tells an intriguing story:
- The “core” Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 3.3% for the third consecutive month, without accounting for food and gas prices.
- The “core” Producer Price Index (PPI) saw a rise of 3.1% in October, surpassing economists’ expectations of a 3% increase.
- Taken together, these readings paint a picture of persistent, sticky inflation within the economy.
Economists seem to remain steadfast in their outlook for the Fed, believing that the recent data won’t sway the central bank’s plans for December. The market also seems aligned with a probability of nearly 80% for a 25 basis point rate cut during the next Fed meeting.
However, the stagnation in inflation progress could lead to a revision in the Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), where initial forecasts projected four interest rate cuts totalling one percentage point in 2025.
Despite the slight uncertainty, the inclination towards rate cuts persists. An adjusted strategy may be on the horizon, showcasing a slower pace of easing in the upcoming year as suggested by experts in the field.
Market sentiments have shifted in the last two months to reflect a similar viewpoint. With bond yields seeing a significant rise since the September rate cut, investors stay optimistic. The current economic data might support this claim, with stronger data than expected coinciding with increasing bond yields.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell, in a recent conference, acknowledged the uncertain road ahead and stressed the importance of finding the right pace. Recent inflation trends are being closely watched, with experts interpreting the data carefully. The trend indicates a slower progress towards the inflation target, amplifying the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Economists predict the data from CPI and PPI will eventually reflect on the “core” Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, which is the Fed’s primary inflation indicator. The forecasts for the PCE index show a climb to 2.8% in October, raising concern as the Fed aims to stabilize inflation at 2%.
While the recent inflation numbers point towards a shallower cutting cycle, it is crucial not to panic. Certain factors contributing to the inflation hike are transient and are expected to retreat in the coming months. Nevertheless, the risk leans towards a more gradual approach to easing due to the current economic activity and inflation persistence.
In conclusion, the Reserve will need to navigate carefully in the wake of uncertain economic dynamics. The path forward requires a discerning eye on inflation indicators and policy adjustments to strike a balance between economic stability and growth.
