Temporarily soft energy costs pulled down the headline CPI for February while weak shelter costs kept core inflation very sluggish. Overall CPI inflation for February eased to no change from 0.2 percent the month before. The latest came in just below the market forecast for a 0.1 percent uptick. Core CPI inflation rebounded a modest 0.1 percent, following a 0.1 percent dip in January and matching consensus expectations. A number of weak components point to the fact that inflation pressures, indeed, are subdued. Shelter costs were flat in the latest month while declines also were seen in apparel and recreation.
Looking at detail, the energy component of the CPI declined 0.5 percent in February after jumping 2.8 percent the month before. Gasoline temporarily eased 1.4 percent, following a 4.4 percent jump in January. Food inflation slowed in February to 0.1 percent from 0.2 percent in January.
Year-on-year, overall CPI inflation fell to 2.2 percent (seasonally adjusted) from 2.7 percent in January. The core rate was slipped in February to 1.3 percent from 1.5 percent the month before. On an unadjusted year-ago basis, the headline number was up 2.1 percent in February while the core was up 1.3 percent.
Today's report leaves a lot of room for the Fed to keep rates low for some time. On the news, Treasury yields edged down and equity futures rose slightly. At the same time, initial jobless claims came in very close to expectations.
My only take from this report is that the economy is not inflating. Meaning QE will likely remain in some form until the Fed raises rates.
It is a beautiful day in New York. Take some time away from the terminal and get some spring air. I am likely heading up to Newport, RI later tonight. Enjoy the rest of the trading week.
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