US INFLATION: Watch Semiconductor Shortages (For Core PCE Tracking)
May-11 18:11
Sticking with core goods, there is one small category that should be watched even if it doesn’t get a spot in the summary table in the MNI US CPI Preview (link).
Computer software & accessories saw two particularly strong months with 4.0% M/M in March after 6.5% M/M in February and is qualitatively expected to have been firm again in April.
JPMorgan write that we “could see another firm increase. The index includes SD and USB memory devices, whose prices have been surging because of AI-related increases in memory prices. Prices for some of the best-selling products in this category on Amazon saw further price increases in April.”
Recall that this is very much a core PCE rather than core CPI story, helping widen the wedge between the two, with weights of 1.2% vs 0.04% respectively. As such, it added 0.05pps to core PCE in March after 0.08pp in Feb compared to essentially zero to core CPI.
US INFLATION: Supply Chain Pressures Increased More Acutely In April
May-11 18:09
Away from the direct impacts from markedly higher energy prices, core goods items more broadly could see upward pressure from another intensification in supply chain pressures.
The NY Fed’s GSCPI saw a marked increase in April to 1.8 standard deviations above its historical average for its highest since mid-2022.
This index first stepped higher in December to 0.55 and happened to be followed by our estimate of median core goods inflation accelerating to 0.44% M/M (matching the Jun 2025 high for the post-tariff period) before monthly inflation moderated notably as the index levelled off at that level through Q1.
US INFLATION: CPI Food Prices Seen Bouncing Back After Rare Drop
May-11 18:07
Food inflation is expected to have returned to a more typical 0.3% M/M after an unusually soft March at -0.01% M/M when food at home fell -0.16% M/M. This category should give an idea of passthrough from higher transportation and fertilizer costs.
Food away from home held at a somewhat solid 0.24% M/M in March after three particularly strong months averaging 0.39% M/M through Dec-Feb. This services-related category could give an indication of discretionary demand in the face of the sharp rise in travel costs.