October CPI came in unchanged following a 0.4% increase in September. For the year, CPI dropped to 3.2% from 3.7% in September. Core came in at 4.0% YoY and 0.2% MoM.
Futures soared on the print.
As we have anticipated for the past several months, it was a sharp drop in gas prices which produced the equity-friendly print. From CPI Continues Falling on July 12:
As we discussed last month, the benefit from YoY price declines in oil/gas has maxed out unless prices continue to fall. In other words, central bankers might need to drive oil/gas prices even lower.
From June’s No Surprise:
It’s important to note that oil/gas mustn’t rally any further. If gas were to level out at current levels, the strong positive correlation between YoY gas prices and CPI indicate that inflation would be on the rise from now through the end of the year.
And, Powell: Inflation Not Over:
… there is little chance of inflation not bouncing back up unless oil and gas prices collapse from current levels.
The breakout in July following OPEC’s production cut was followed by an incredible increase in geopolitical risks related to the Israel-Hamas war. Yet oil and gas prices are lower than they have been in almost two years.
It might not be a big enough drop to help Americans forget the 6.7% annual increase in shelter expenses. But, it’s certainly enough to break stocks out of their latest swoon.
Mission accomplished.
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