CPI and the US Dollar
In recent sessions, EURUSD has found what appears to be an increasingly comfortable perch above 1.10. Yesterday, a CPI inflation reading in the USA helped to secure that fortune, at least in the short run. Despite headline inflation year on year only just scraping in below expectations, the reading was sufficient to move markets. None more so than within USD and Dollar funding markets which benefitted from expectations that the Fed may have less work to do to tame inflation than previously expected.
The data showed that 12-month inflation was just 3%, significantly below the benchmark rates set at the Fed and adopted by markets. When nominal interest rates are significantly higher than nominal inflation, the nation is seen to provide a positive real yield. This makes monetary tightness significantly more potent with respect to tackling inflation, adding weight to the rhetoric of an imminent end to the US hiking cycle. Despite still offering a high nominal rate of interest, the adjustment to the forward curve was still sufficient to undermine demand for the US Dollar.
The data was just 0.1% shy of expectations, but a reading so close to the Fed’s target rate of inflation attracted significant attention. Core inflation too came in 0.2% lower than forecasted at 4.8% leading to the conclusion that Fed tightening has had an impact upon price levels in the US. The reading should help support EURUSD above 1.10 so long as any downside surprises in the Eurozone don’t impact the Euro. As we saw yesterday in the case of the Indian inflation data, we should always be wary of a shock to inflation. In India, a spike in the price of tomatoes was sufficient to contribute north of 1% to month on month inflation alone. Whilst this does not serve as an admonition to investors to watch out for the price of tomatoes it is a reminder that micro-inflation can be created from anywhere and disturb an otherwise orderly return to target inflation.
Discussion and Analysis by Charles Porter
Click Here to Subscribe to the SGM-FX Newsletter
Related Insights
Morning Brief – The only haven
Charles Porter
Tue 26 Sep 2023
The only haven The avoidance of a hard landing according to many projections of most economically significant geographies has undoubtedly moderated perceived financial risk. Back when recessions were forecasted and priced in as the base case to follow the interest rate hiking cycle, there was greater financial risk within the system. Despite a more sanguine […]
Morning Brief – US Interest Rates
Humphrey Percy
Mon 25 Sep 2023
US Interest Rates Nothing much new over the weekend other than while sifting thought the tea leaves from last week, we found that not one but two members of the FOMC, the rate setting and policy making committee of the Federal Reserve, advocated US interest rates staying higher for longer to crush inflation. Within their […]
Morning Brief – A revised 2024
Charles Porter
Thu 21 Sep 2023
A revised 2024 The Dollar opens stronger this morning following the Federal Reserve’s decision last night. The decision confirmed interest rates were to stay on hold following this meeting. As we have highlighted following previous decisions, the forward guidance offered by the Chair Jay Powell was once again underwhelming. However, the Dollar’s bid this morning […]
