US CPI: Putting a September Fed Rate Cut Back in Play

US CPI: Putting a September Fed Rate Cut Back in Play

Macro 4 minutes to read
Charu Chanana

Chief Investment Strategist

Key points:

  • US April CPI brought relief for market after three consecutive months of upside surprises.
  • While there are positive signs, significant challenges remain, and the Federal Reserve's ongoing battle with inflation is not yet over.
  • Furthermore, the US economy is showing signs of slowdown, with weaker data including lower GDP growth, contractionary PMIs, and subdued consumer confidence.
  • There are early signs that labor market is also softening, with slower job creation and easing demand for workers, suggesting potential headwinds for future growth.
  • With disinflation expectations influencing market sentiment, attention may increasingly shift towards assessing economic growth prospects.
  • We consider different growth and inflation scenarios to help investors position in this evolving economic landscape.

 

US inflation spells near-term relief for markets

The US April CPI came in-line with consensus, helping to ease concerns after three months of inflation overshoot.

  • Headline CPI: 0.3% MoM (vs. 0.4% prev.) and 3.4% YoY (vs. 3.5% prev.)
  • Core CPI: 0.3% MoM (vs. 0.4% prev.) and 3.6% YoY (vs. 3.8% prev.)

This was a relief for markets and fuelled a dovish reaction across asset classes. Equities surged, UST yields tumbled across the curve, and the USD slumped. Market has now priced in a September rate cut from the Fed, with a second rate cut fully priced in for December.

While there are positive signs, significant challenges remain, and the Federal Reserve's ongoing battle with inflation is not yet over. The FOMC members have been focusing on 3- and 6-month annualised inflation metrics as a more accurate gauge of underlying price pressures, and these did not spell an all-clear message for the Fed.

  • 3-month annualised CPI: 4.6% (vs. 4.6% prev.)
  • 6-month annualised CPI: 3.7% (vs. 3.2% prev.)
  • 3-month annualised core CPI: 4.1% (vs. 4.5% prev.)
  • 6-month annualised core CPI: 4.0% (vs. 3.9% prev.)

Supercore metrics were also not as positive, coming in at 4.9% YoY from 4.8% prior. Disinflation was primarily goods-driven, with core services inflation still high at 5.3% YoY in April. Rental inflation also still remained sticky with shelter prices up 0.4% MoM for a third straight month.

More importantly, one month of softer inflation is not a trend, and the Fed will have to wait for more readings to confirm that the disinflation is intact before cutting rates.

To top it all, commodities are rallying hard. Despite the recent cooling, oil prices are up 10% YTD. Copper is up 27% and even agri commodities are rising now amid weather concerns. This does not appear to be an environment that spells all-clear on inflation and a green signal on Fed cutting rates.

Growth slowdown may be underway

There has been a spate of weaker US data over the last few weeks, none of it still signalling that we may be looking at a recession, but still fading the US exceptionalism story amid super-long positioning as we highlighted in the Q2 FX outlook. Let’s take stock of some of the key data points:

  • Headline Q1 GDP growth slowed to 1.6% QoQ saar from 3.4% in Q4, vs. expectations of 2.5%. Personal spending growth was also slower-than-expected at 2.5% as inflation remained high.
  • ISM PMIs for both manufacturing and services were below the 50-mark in April, signalling contraction in activity levels heading into Q2.
  • S&P Global Flash PMIs for April were also soft, as manufacturing fell into contractionary territory printing 49.9 (exp. 52.0, prev. 51.9). Services fell to 50.9 from 51.7, and shy of the forecasted 52.0, leaving the Composite at 50.9 from 52.1.
  • The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index came in at 97 in April, its lowest since July 2022, signalling risks that consumers may limit discretionary purchases going forward.
  • Retail sales for April came in flat and last month’s was revised lower to +0.6% MoM, signalling that consumers remain pressured by inflation and are finding less support from a cooling labor market (as noted below).
  • Similar sentiment was echoed by several consumer companies on their Q1 earnings calls, including Amazon, Starbucks, and McDonald’s, among others, suggesting that the lower-income consumers have turned more cautious on spending.

More importantly, US labor data has started to signal weakness

  • Nonfarm payrolls (NFP) slowed to 175k in April from 315k in March, printing a sub-200k number for the first time in five months. Unemployment rate rose, and the average hourly earnings growth slowed to 3.9% YoY in April, below 4% for the first time since June 2021.
  • US JOLTS jobs openings in March fell to 8.488mln from the prior, revised lower, 8.813mln and beneath the consensus of 8.686mln which highlighted demand for workers continues to ease, with the headline metric declining to the lowest level in more than three years. Quits rate also fell to 2.1% from 2.2%, its lowest since August 2020, pointing to slower wage growth in the months ahead. There were 1.3 vacancies for every unemployed worker in March, the lowest since August 2021.
  • The employment index of ISM manufacturing for April improved to 48.6, but still remained in contraction. The ISM services employment index fell to 45.9 in April, below 50 for a third month.
  • Flash S&P PMIs for April pointed to an overall decline in employment for the first time since June 2020, with weakness in both the manufacturing and services sectors.
  • Initial jobless claims jumped higher after being steady around 210k since February.

Positioning in this evolving economic environment

For now, Fed rate cuts are getting priced in because of disinflation hopes. But with disinflation baked into market’s expectations, focus could shift more towards the growth side.

Let’s consider four scenarios from here, and the risk-reward is tilted towards a more cautious positioning.

Source: Saxo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Recent FX articles and podcasts:

Recent Macro articles and podcasts:

Weekly FX Chartbooks:

FX 101 Series:

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...
Disclaimer

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited prepares and distributes information/research produced within the Saxo Bank Group for informational purposes only. In addition to the disclaimer below, if any general advice is provided, such advice does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of trading any financial instrument as trading can result in losses that exceed your initial investment. Please refer to our Analysis Disclaimer, and our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement. All legal documentation and disclaimers can be found at https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/.

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service. Access and use of Saxo News & Research and any Saxo Bank Group website are subject to (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; and (iii) the Risk Warning in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group.

Saxo News & Research is provided for informational purposes, does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. No Saxo Bank Group entity shall be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information on Saxo News & Research.

To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, such content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication.

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments.Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Capital Markets or its affiliates.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Full Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)
- Analysis Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/analysis-disclaimer/saxo-analysis-disclaimer)
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited
Suite 1, Level 14, 9 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Contact Saxo

Select region

Australia
Australia

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-au/about-us/awards

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited ABN 32 110 128 286 AFSL 280372 (‘Saxo’ or ‘Saxo Capital Markets’) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms, Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Saxo Capital Markets does not provide ‘personal’ financial product advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. The Target Market Determination should assist you in determining whether any of the products or services we offer are likely to be consistent with your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website is not intended for residents of the United States and Japan.

Please click here to view our full disclaimer.