US Inflation, Spending Data Cooperates. For Now
Core inflation using the Fed's preferred gauge rose less than expected last month from January, key data released on Friday showed.
At the same time, personal spending came in below estimates and real personal spending contracted.
Taken together, the data was amenable to a dovish interpretation from a policy perspective, particularly as it suggested the economy was perhaps cooling at the margins even before a trio of bank failures changed the game.
Core PCE prices rose 0.3% MoM in February. C
Deep breath. And a hearty, “Yay!”
“bad news could just be plain old bad” – exactly!
The economy is slowing. Inflation will be coming down unless we get another inflationary shock. Services inflation is a lagging indicator. The fomc is looking in the rear view mirror