Main Topic: U.S. inflation and the Federal Reserve's efforts to control it.
Key Points:
1. U.S. inflation has declined for 12 straight months, but consumer prices increased 3% year-on-year in June.
2. The Federal Reserve aims to reduce inflation to about 2% and plans to raise its key federal funds rate to over 5%.
3. The Fed is concerned about high inflation due to a strong labor market, rising wages, and increased consumer spending, and aims to slow the job market to control inflation.
Employment growth in the US likely cooled and wage increases moderated in August, reducing the urgency for another interest-rate hike by the Federal Reserve and tempering inflation risks.
Rising gasoline prices are impacting inflation-weary Americans.
Euro zone inflation in August came in higher than expected at 5.3%, posing a challenge for the European Central Bank as it remains unchanged from the previous month.
Euro zone inflation holds steady in August, but underlying price growth falls, complicating decisions for the European Central Bank as it considers a pause in rate hikes amid a slowdown in economic growth.
Summary: Rising oil prices and increasing gas prices, driven by the Russian-Saudi agreement to extend oil production cuts, are contributing to inflation concerns and putting pressure on the markets, leading to potential gains for oil stocks like ConocoPhillips and Chevron.
Financial markets are preparing for a rebound in U.S. inflation in August, driven by higher energy prices, which could disrupt expectations of easy inflation control by the Federal Reserve.
The British public's long-term inflation expectations rose in August, posing a challenge for the Bank of England, which is expected to raise interest rates later this month.
Rising oil prices are making it harder for the Federal Reserve to achieve its 2% inflation target, as increased energy costs could lead to higher prices for goods and services, potentially complicating the Fed's plan to hold interest rates steady and achieve a "soft landing" for the economy.
Mortgage rates have slightly decreased from their peak in late August, but future trends will depend on the economy and inflation rates, with potential decreases if inflation slows and the Federal Reserve stops increasing its benchmark rate.
Investors and the Federal Reserve will have to wait for inflation to return to acceptable levels, as the Consumer Price Index report for August 2023 shows consumer prices rising at half the pace compared to a year ago, despite a jump in gas prices.
The Consumer Price Index is expected to show an increase in inflation in August, with headline inflation rising to 3.6% and core inflation easing to 4.4%, but the market is accustomed to this trend and the Federal Reserve is unlikely to change its rates at the upcoming meeting.
Goldman Sachs predicts that the August consumer price index (CPI) will show a 3.58% annual increase, with a decline in used car prices, higher airfares and transportation prices, and stable shelter inflation.
Inflation in the US is expected to accelerate again, with economists predicting a monthly rise of 3.6%, suggesting that price pressures within the economy remain a challenge in taming high inflation.
U.S. consumer prices are expected to have increased the most in 14 months in August due to rising gasoline costs, while underlying inflation is forecasted to remain moderate, potentially prompting the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates steady.
Despite a spike in gas prices, the rise in inflation appears to be easing gradually, with core prices exhibiting a slower increase in August compared to July, suggesting that price pressures are being brought under control.
Gas and housing prices continue to rise, leading to a 0.6% increase in the federal consumer price index for August and a 3.7% increase for the year, causing concerns about overall inflation and its impact on household budgets.
Inflation in the US accelerated for the second consecutive month in August due to rising costs of rent and gasoline, with the consumer price index rising 0.6% from the previous month and 3.7% from the same time last year.
US wholesale prices increased at a faster pace in August, indicating that inflation remains persistent despite interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
Wholesale inflation in the US exceeded expectations in August, driven by higher gasoline prices, indicating that inflationary pressures are still present in the economy.
Producer prices rose more than expected in August, signaling further inflationary pressures due to a surge in energy costs.
The unprecedented increase in fuel prices in Pakistan is expected to cause a significant rise in inflation, with the Consumer Price Index projected to reach as high as 30% to 32% in September 2023.
Economists predict that Canada's inflation rate is likely to increase to around four percent in August, mainly due to higher gasoline prices, reversing the previous progress made.
Gasoline prices are rising due to oil supply cuts in Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as flooding in Libya, but some experts believe that increasing oil prices will not have a significant impact on the US economy and do not expect them to rise much higher in the next year or two due to factors such as increased US oil production, slow global economic growth, and the green energy transition. However, high oil prices can lead to higher inflation, potential recession, and could influence the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, but the impact may not be as severe as in the past, and some experts recommend investing in the energy transition and adopting a more defensive investment strategy.
Despite assurances from policymakers and economists, inflation in the US continues to rise, posing significant challenges to the economy and financial stability.
Oil prices reach a 3-month high as OPEC maintains tight supply. Gas prices in the US rise, posing a threat to efforts against inflation.
Rising crude oil prices, driven by supply concerns and output cuts, threaten to push up petrol prices and hinder efforts to tame inflation, putting pressure on central bankers.
European markets rise as global investors await the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision; retail stocks lead gains while oil and gas dip slightly, and U.K. inflation falls below expectations in August.
Oil prices are facing pressure due to a strengthening U.S. dollar and concerns about higher interest rates impacting demand.
Australia's inflation for August met expectations, with core inflation easing further, reducing pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates next month.
The Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation decreased in August, indicating that efforts to combat inflation are progressing, although there are still price growth pressures that could lead to further interest rate hikes by the central bank.
Higher gas prices boosted an inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve in August, but measures of underlying inflation slowed, suggesting that overall price pressures are still moderating, potentially leading the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged at its next meeting.
Underlying US inflation is expected to rise, supporting the idea that interest rates will need to remain higher for a longer period of time, as indicated by central bankers.
