Wall Street economists are closely monitoring the upcoming U.S. inflation data set for release this Friday, which could potentially influence the Federal Reserve’s approach to interest rates. With the Fed recently maintaining a cautious stance in its May policy meeting, the anticipation builds whether the new data will signal a shift towards rate cuts. Recent months have seen varying inflation figures, with January through March presenting particularly high rates, prompting discussions among Fed officials about the necessity of further rate hikes to temper economic demand and control inflation.
This week’s economic reports will shed light on inflation trends, housing statistics, and the U.S. job market, offering a comprehensive view of the economic landscape post-Memorial Day. Although some Fed officials have hinted at the possibility of rate hikes, the general consensus leans more towards maintaining current rates with potential cuts eyed for the later part of the year, possibly in December.
Krishna Guha, Vice Chairman of Evercore ISI, emphasizes the ongoing internal debate within the Fed between the ‘hawks’, who argue for sustained strong measures against inflation, and the ‘doves’, who advocate for rate cuts in light of moderating economic indicators. Market participants are currently divided, with derivative traders betting on a minimal likelihood of a rate cut this year, although prospects for such a move might improve towards November.
The focal point of this week’s anticipation is the April personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price index, slated for release on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. Economists, polled by the Wall Street Journal, expect a modest improvement from the previous quarter’s figures, with core inflation anticipated at 0.2%, a slight decrease from March’s 0.3%. Additionally, consumer spending is predicted to slow to 0.4% from 0.8%, with income growth also tapering to 0.3%.
In conclusion, the upcoming economic reports are crucial for the Federal Reserve’s decision-making process regarding interest rates. A ‘Fed-friendly’ set of data indicating moderated consumer demand and cooling core inflation could open the door to potential rate reductions later this year, as forecasted by experts like Scott Anderson from BMO Capital Markets.
