US INFLATION: MNI US CPI Preview: An Important Pre-FOMC Steer
Jun-10 10:23
- We have published and e-mailed to subscribers the MNI US CPI Preview.
- Please find the full report including MNI analysis plus detailed analyst estimates, here: https://media.marketnews.com/USCPI_Prev_Jun2025_a86717a017.pdf
- Analyst unrounded estimates see core CPI inflation accelerating mildly to 0.27% M/M (median, 0.28% average) in May after 0.24% M/M in April.
- We’ve seen an unrounded range of 0.23-0.34% M/M, with some sizeable discrepancies in used cars and lodging away from home as well as a CPI-specific airfares.
- The broad assumption is that May could have started to see a greater tariff impact than April but that firmer increases are more likely to show in summer months.
- Both headline and core CPI Y/Y inflation should firm one to two tenths after lows since early 2021, whilst the six-month core rate should see a similar print after four months running hotter than the Y/Y.
- We have seen preliminary core PCE estimates center on 0.22% M/M for May (median, 0.24% average), due the usual updates after Wednesday’s CPI and Thursday’s PPI. One area to watch in the latter will the extent of a bounce in portfolio management and investment advice after sliding with equities in April.
- The Fed rate path is close to its most hawkish since February, with a next cut fully priced for October.
- A dovish surprise could see a more limited reaction on the assumption that strength is yet to come for consumer prices, unless it’s seen across some of the less volatile services components. On the flipside, an upside surprise can see a further kicking out of rate cut expectations and could tee up a hawkish Fed SEP.
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MACRO OUTLOOK: US PPI/Retail Sales And Powell Follow On Thursday [2/2]
May-09 20:17
- Core PCE implications will then be watched closely in Thursday’s PPI report, and we expect with additional focus on portfolio management after last month’s huge upward revision to February.
- Retail sales, whilst only reported in nominal terms, will offer a keenly awaited look at consumer behavior.
- Real spending moderated to 1.8% annualized in Q1 after 4.0% in Q4 despite likely tariff front-running, with April a good test of how much discretionary spending was pulled forward.
- Finally, Powell provides “Opening Remarks” at the Second Thomas Laubach Research Conference, although he’s allotted twenty minutes so there is scope for more substantive remarks than you’d usually expect. His message at Wednesday’s FOMC press conference was one firmly of being in no hurry to cut rates amidst huge uncertainty. He also appeared to put more weight on hard data over soft indicators that appear more stagflationary in nature.
MACRO OUTLOOK: US CPI Offers Look At April Tariff Distortions on Tuesday [1/2]
May-09 20:15
- The week’s US data calendar is highlighted by CPI inflation on Tuesday although PPI inflation and retail sales reports on Thursday are in close second. All three releases are going to be important, offering further hard data for April in the first month under reciprocal tariffs. What’s more, PPI and retail sales are followed by Fed Chair Powell just ten minutes after their release (more on that below).
- Core CPI inflation is seen accelerating to 0.3% M/M in April, with six unrounded estimates we’ve seen to date averaging 0.27% M/M.
- A potential for a ‘low’ 0.3% aside, it’s still likely a swift acceleration from a particularly soft 0.06% M/M in March which was in large part down to surprisingly abrupt declines in lodging away from home (-3.5%) and airfare (-5.3%) prices.
- This lodging weakness carried over to core PCE inflation back in March, at just 0.03% M/M after a particularly strong 0.50% M/M in February in a large wedge with core CPI at 0.23% M/M.
- Markets currently price a next Fed cut with the September FOMC meeting.
USDCAD TECHS: Pressuring Resistance
May-09 20:00
- RES 4: 1.4296 High Apr 7
- RES 3: 1.4111 High Apr 4
- RES 2: 1.4041 50-day EMA
- RES 1: 1.3943 High May 9
- PRICE: 1.3930 @ 16:06 BST May 9
- SUP 1: 1.3751 Low May 6
- SUP 2: 1.3744 76.4% retracement of Sep 25 ‘24 - Feb 3 bull run
- SUP 3: 1.3696 Low Oct 10 2024
- SUP 4: 1.3643 Low Oct 9 ‘24
USDCAD has recovered from its recent lows. Despite the recovery, the trend condition remains bearish and short-term gains are considered corrective. A fresh cycle low on Tuesday reinforces the bearish theme. Potential is seen for a move towards 1.3744, a Fibonacci retracement. Note that moving average studies are in a bear mode position, highlighting a dominant downtrend. Key resistance is seen at 1.4041, the 50-day EMA.
