Research.LeutholdGroup

The CPI numbers are slightly below expectations. Positive vaccine news has kept the rotation trade alive. Our moderate inflation view is supported by the latest reading of Inflation Scorecard.

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The CPI numbers are in line with expectations. The inflation impact of a “blue wave” will be much more significant and the markets are already trying to price that in.

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CPI figures beat expectations but inflation remains below desired levels.The Fed’s change to an average inflation target means a higher desired range. Government spending and depressed consumer confidence highlight our Inflation Scorecard.

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The CPI numbers beat expectations again. The reflation theme is supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and lower real yields. Our inflation scorecard is also consistent with a reflation story.

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The non-seasonally adjusted headline CPI rose 0.6% (y/y) in June, a bit stronger than market estimates. The Core CPI maintained its 1.2% annual pace (Chart 1), which is also a tad stronger than the market expectations. There was very little market reaction  to these new numbers since investors have learned to look through these numbers after COVID-19 and the latest numbers are not enough to impact any policy directions in the near term.

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May’s month over month CPI results missed expectations but rebounded from April’s plunge. Deflation is still on the table but several indicators have bounced off their lows. Inflation results are less meaningful as large segments of the Index are inaccessible to consumers.

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The CPI numbers missed expectations. COVID-19 is the divide between inflation winners vs losers. Our inflation scorecard continues to point to lower inflation and it’s driven by a demand shock. Lower capacity utilization and money velocity also indicate a disinflationary trend ahead.

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The CPI numbers missed expectations. The segments most affected by COVID-19 were the biggest detractors. The market isn’t too concerned about weak inflation at this point, because there are much bigger issues at present, such as liquidity and financial conditions.

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February’s “Coronavirus Free” CPI data came in a tick hotter than expected. The massive downdraft in risk assets will be extraordinarily deflationary and we question whether the Fed can ride to the rescue once again.

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Where inflation goes next will be primarily determined by the probability of a recession.

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Headline and Core CPIs both post slower than expected gains in their month-over-month figures. The Fed’s laissez-faire attitude for 2020 seems appropriate for now. Interesting movements in commodity indexes may signal future upward price pressure.

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Wednesday's report contained no datapoints that might sway Fed policy. After three cuts in 2019 and a restart of quantitative easing, a recession that felt almost imminent at the beginning of the year seems to have been avoided.

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 The CPI numbers are largely in line with consensus. Where inflation goes next will be primarily determined by the probability of a recession. A near-neutral inflation scorecard is consistent with our slowdown but no recession view.

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The Core CPI is in line with consensus. The recent string of weak economic numbers has increased the odds of an imminent recession. A currency pact with China would serve to cap the upside in the dollar and may even help weaken it, providing support to inflation.

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The Core CPI registered its highest YOY increase of the past year. However, a recent NY Fed survey and other inflation forecasts seems to point to softening expectations. During Fed easing regimes, the CPI has been a good indicator of how aggressive the Fed needs to be. The next few months will be critical in assessing our economic situation.

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The Core CPI is slightly ahead of consensus. Recent depreciation in the Chinese Yuan is disinflationary. Given the seasonal tendency for better economic numbers in the second half of the year, inflation would likely rise moderately along with the economy once we turn the corner.

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The headline CPI numbers are in line while Core CPI is slightly ahead of consensus. Higher tariffs are not showing through import prices yet. Global slowdown underpins recent inflation path.

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The latest batch of softer than expected inflation figures gives the Fed more cover for a rate cut. Consumer inflation expectations are now the lowest in two years. Housing price increases remain critical to overall inflation.

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The latest CPI numbers are slightly lower than market expectations. Oil prices need to be watched closely as further oil weakness would likely drag down inflation expectations too. Concerns about new tariffs causing higher inflation are misplaced.

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The latest CPI numbers are largely in line with market expectations. The recent rebound in oil prices certainly helped the recovery in inflation expectations. Recent U.S. economic numbers have been decent overall and the latest uptick in the U.S. ISM index also offers support for inflation.

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