Near-Term Fed Clarity, but Future Is Cloudy

The June 14 Fed policy decision was expected to overshadow the mid-month economic figures. Instead, the soft data reports contrasted with the relatively more upbeat central bank. Did the Fed make a mistake? Or are the financial markets placing too much emphasis on the short-term data?

The Consumer Price Index fell in May, reflecting a drop in gasoline prices (which, as expected, was amplified by the seasonal adjustment). However, core inflation was also below expectations, reflecting declines in communication, new vehicles, used vehicles, apparel, and alcoholic beverages. Bear in mind that the Fed’s 2% inflation goal is based on the PCE Price Index, which has been trending well below the CPI over the last several months. In her press conference, Chair Yellen noted that the March moderation in the year-over-year pace reflected a large “one-off” reduction in the price index for wireless telecom services – and one would expect the y/y pace to pop a little higher when the March 2017 figures rolls off the 12-month calculation. The CPI data continue to show a sharp divide between core consumer goods (-0.8% y/y), reflecting a continued trend of mild deflation, and non-energy services (+2.6% y/y), which has been led by higher shelter costs (+3.3%). Rent, 7.8% of the overall CPI, rose 3.8% y/y. Homeowners’ equivalent rent, nearly a quarter of the CPI, rose 3.3% y/y.

The Fed’s concern is future inflation, not past inflation. In the Summary of Economic Projections, the median forecast of senior Fed officials for 2017 PCE price inflation was revised down to 1.6% (from a 1.9% estimate in March), but officials continued to see that rising to 2% in 2018 and 2019. So, accounting for the drop in telecom wireless services, the Fed’s inflation outlook isn’t much different than in March. The more immediate concern for the Fed is the tightness in labor market conditions. The median forecast for the 4Q17 unemployment rate was revised down to 4.3% (from 4.5% in March).