NEW YORK (Reuters) – Monthly U.S consumer prices unexpectedly rose in August as declining gasoline prices were offset by gains in the costs of rent and food, giving cover for the Federal Reserve to deliver another hefty interest rate increase next Wednesday.
The consumer price index gained 0.1% last month after being unchanged in July, the Labor Department said on Tuesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI dipping 0.1%.
In the 12 months through August, the CPI increased 8.3%, decelerating from July’s 8.5% rise. The annual CPI peaked at 9.1% in June, which was the biggest gain since November 1981.
MARKET REACTION:
STOCKS: S&P 500 futures turned sharply lower, and were down 1.8%, pointing to a weak opening on Wall Street
BONDS: The yield on 10-year Treasury notes rose and was up 5.2 basis points to 3.414%; The two-year U.S. Treasury yield, surged and was up 13.3 basis points at 3.704%.
FOREX: The dollar index turned 0.73% higher
COMMENTS:
PETER CARDILLO, CHIEF MARKET ECONOMIST, SPARTAN CAPITAL SECURITIES, NEW YORK
“These numbers are disappointing. The core rate decline has reversed after two months of moving lower.”
“This suggests an aggressive move by the Fed is on the horizon. The chance of the Fed moving back to less aggressive rate hikes over the next quarter is off the table. Perhaps another (75 basis point rate hike) in November and maybe one more in December.”
“Headline prices have come down, but the reversal breaks a trend and that’s why the Fed is going to stay aggressive. Bottom line, it only fortifies the Fed’s hand for a tougher inflation fight.”
“Obviously, the markets are not pleased with these numbers. Equities are falling out of bed out in premarket.”
STUART COLE, HEAD MACRO ECONOMIST, EQUITI CAPITAL, LONDON
“Stronger than expected US headline CPI number, albeit marginally softer than last month’s print. However, the real story is the fact that the core rate is continuing to rise and which now makes another 75bps hike being delivered by the FOMC this month look like a certainty. With the fall in the headline rate being almost wholly attributable to cheaper gasoline prices, it appears US consumers are simply reallocating this extra spending power toward other goods and services, the implication of which is a broadening of inflationary pressures throughout the economy. Overall, the report will not be happy reading for the Fed.”
“The CPI release will have knocked back hopes that inflationary pressures are slowing to the degree hoped for. This implies the Fed will remain in tightening mode for longer and suggesting interest rates still have some way to go before they reach the terminal rate.”
KARL SCHAMOTTA, CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST, CORPAY, TORONTO
“The data was far stronger than expected. Particularly worrisome is the fact that core inflation came in almost double estimates. This is going to put the idea of transitory inflation to bed for now and anchor U.S. yields and the dollar substantially higher. The key thing here is that we’re now looking at near-certain odds on a 75 basis point move next week, but also potentially a 50 basis point or higher move in November.”
GREG BASSUK, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AXS INVESTMENTS, NEW YORK CITY
“All eyes were focused on the core inflation data and the challenge there is when you take out energy and food, many believe that’s a very good gauge of price levels and so investors are going to digest that.””We think that the Fed is going to continue to try to rein in the elements that have been driving prices higher but the new information is that these two consecutive months July and August have a more dampening set of numbers. We think that removes the possibility of the Fed being more aggressive than 75 basis points.””Investors should remain cautious and vigilant, with respect to any additional economic data that could support potentially future rising prices in part because today’s numbers also show that core inflation, which takes out energy and food and tend to be more volatile, actually rose.”
(Compiled by the Finance and Markets Breaking News team)
