EUROPEAN INFLATION: Final German September Data Shows Move In Car Fuels [1/2]

Oct-14 08:42

German final September HICP was unrevised from the flash readings at 2.4 Y/Y (2.1% in Aug) and 0.2% M/M. The final reading to CPI was also unrevised at 2.4% Y/Y (2.2% in Aug) and 0.2% M/M whilst core CPI printed at 2.8% Y/Y after three consecutive months at 2.7%. The main conclusions from the flash reading were confirmed. 

  • Services accelerated to 3.4% Y/Y (confirming the flash reading), a 0.3pp reacceleration after two consecutive prints at 3.1%, adding 0.13pp to headline inflation in September. Goods inflation meanwhile also accelerated, with a 0.08pp higher contribution to headline, mostly on the back of higher energy amid base effects.
  • As we projected after the state level data ahead of the national-level flash release, the mixed-weighting transport category saw noticeable moves, accelerating to 2.4% (2.5% MNI tracking, 1.4% prior). Out of the 0.14pp the category added to headline in September, 0.13pp came from car fuels (accelerating to 1.1% Y/Y from -2.5% in August amid base effects looking at the -0.4% M/M print), and 0.02pp each from rail and air transport services (outweighed by a negative 0.04pp impact from car prices).
  • The remainder of the services acceleration was broad-based across categories: 0.03pp came from package holidays, 0.02pp from lodging away from home, and the remaining 0.04pp are difficult to attribute when rounding contributions to 2dp.
  • Food (and non-alcoholic beverages) prices took away 0.04pp from headline in September amid its deceleration to 2.9% Y/Y (from 3.2% prior).
  • The Bundesbank thinks German inflation "is likely to be temporarily somewhat higher in the next few months" as energy inflation will turn positive and services are also set to see temporarily higher Y/Y rates again, both amid base effects (August monthly report).
  • [See the disclaimer below the table on using the changes in contributions with caution]
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Historical bullets

AUSSIE 3-YEAR TECHS: (U5) Bounces Further Off Support

Sep-12 21:45
  • RES 3: 97.190 - High May 5 2023
  • RES 2: 96.932 - 76.4% of Mar-Nov ‘23 bear leg 
  • RES 1: 96.860 - High Apr 07
  • PRICE: 96.550 @ 15:36 BST Sep 12
  • SUP 1: 96.430/95.900 - Low Sep 3 / Low Jan 14  
  • SUP 2: 95.760 - Low 14 Nov ‘24
  • SUP 3: 95.480 - Low Jan 11 2023 and a major support 

Aussie 3-yr futures are trading off recent lows. A resumption of gains from here would further narrow the gap with resistance at 96.730, the Sep 17 ‘24 high, leaving 96.860 as the next key level. Any continuation lower would instead strengthen a bearish threat. This would refocus attention on 95.760, the 14 Nov ‘24 low. Conversely, a reversal higher would open 96.860, the Apr 7 high.

FED: MNI Fed Preview-September 2025: A Reluctant Return To Easing

Sep-12 21:16

We've published our preview of the upcoming FOMC meeting - Download Full Report Here

  • The Federal Reserve is set to resume its easing cycle at the September 16-17 meeting with a 25bp cut to the funds rate range to 4.00-4.25%.
  • The decision to cut after a 5-meeting pause was well-telegraphed by Chair Powell, whose Jackson Hole speech described a “shifting balance of risks” toward a weaker labor market that “may warrant adjusting our policy stance”.
  • The updated quarterly projections aren’t likely to bring many changes to the macroeconomic variables, but as usual the signal sent from the Fed rate “Dot Plot” will garner attention. A Committee split between expecting one or two further cuts this year is likely, keeping each of the remaining meetings of 2025 “live”.
  • The Statement will downgrade the description of the labor market to reflect a rise in the unemployment rate and poor payrolls growth, and is likely to include at least one dissent to the rate decision.
  • But with a Committee that is fairly divided on the way forward, Powell will be noncommittal on future action, reiterating that policy is not on a preset course, and upcoming decisions will be data-dependent.
  • A key undercurrent is an increasingly activist approach to Fed personnel management from the White House, which leaves the composition of the FOMC uncertain not just over the medium-term but also at this meeting. 

MNI’s separate preview of sell-side analyst summaries to follow on Monday Sep 15

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Source: Federal Reserve, MNI Markets Team Expectations

RATINGS: Fitch: France Cut To A+ From AA, Portugal Up To A From A-

Sep-12 21:07

Fitch has downgraded France's sovereign rating to A+ (with stable outlook) from AA-. Release here.

  • Among other factors in the decision, Fitch cites "High and Rising Debt Ratio", "Political Fragmentation Hinders Consolidation", "Weak Fiscal Record", "High 2025 Deficit", "Uncertain Fiscal Consolidation Path", and "Fiscal Rigidities".
  • In "Factors that Could, Individually or Collectively, Lead to Negative Rating Action/Downgrade", Fitch cites "Public Finances: A sustained increase in government debt/GDP over the medium term, due to failure to implement fiscal consolidation measures and/or a persistent increase in financing costs" and "Macro: Materially lower economic growth prospects and weakened competitiveness." Conversely, potentially leading to positive ratings action would be "Public Finances: Confidence that government debt/GDP will be put on a downward trajectory over the medium term, for example, due to fiscal consolidation and/or stronger economic growth".
  • Fitch also raised Portugal to A (stable outlook) from A-, while elsewhere, S&P raised Spain to A+ (stable outlook) from A.
  • As MNI wrote earlier, we expected France to be downgraded to A+ and Portugal to be upgraded to A.