- March CPI and PPI data point to a 0.3% rise in the core PCE deflator, with an outside chance of a 0.2% print.
- Personal tax refunds so far in 2024 are little changed compared to last year, but that could still change.
- Higher gas prices probably mean a small fall in the Michigan sentiment survey from its recent highs.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Almost half of the rise in March core CPI services ex-rent prices was due to a wild jump in auto insurance.
- We’re raising our near-term forecasts for rents and hospital services prices, but retaining our optimistic outlook.
- Core PPI inflation should be depressed by falling margins, driven by slowing growth in core retail sales.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- U.S. - No softening yet in job growth, but Q2 likely will be very different
- EUROZONE - All set for a dovish hold by the ECB this week; rates will be cut in June
U.K.- Forecast Review: MPC has the confidence to cut, gradually
- CHINA+ - BoK likely to sit tight until Q3, mindful of rising cost pressures
- EM ASIA - Singaporean retail sales growth spikes in February on festive demand
- LATAM - Will Brazil’s industrial sector improve after a poor start to 2024?
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- The balance of risks points to a decent chance of a 0.2% core CPI print for March, a tenth below consensus.
- Zillow data signal a modest rise in primary rent; OER is wild but likely won’t rise much faster than primary rents.
- Both used vehicle and hotel room prices probably fell in March; the early Easter might depress goods prices too.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Revisions between the first and third payroll estimate have become bigger and increasingly negative.
- Under pressure SMEs likely are under-represented in the first estimate; expect larger downward revisions in Q2.
- We expect another fall in the NFIB index in March, as small businesses remain under pressure.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The initial March jobs numbers were even stronger than Homebase implied, but things can change…
- ...We’re sticking to our base-case view that payroll growth will slow markedly in the second quarter.
- Monetary tightening works with long lags, and multiple indicators now point to slower hiring and rising layoffs.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The Homebase jobs data signal March strength; we expect 225K headline payrolls and 175K private…
- ...But the NFIB survey’s hiring intentions measure points to much weaker numbers in Q2.
- Low snow cover likely boosted hours worked and depressed AHE, but the Fed only cares about the ECI.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The plunge in ISM services prices paid to a four-year low points to much slower core services inflation.
- Light vehicle sales slumped in Q1, dragging on overall consumption growth.
- Initial jobless claims likely rose modestly last week, but a sharp increase is likely in the coming months.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- U.S. - Core PCE back on track following the January jump
- EUROZONE - EZ inflation likely fell to just over 2% in March; what now, ECB?
- U.K. - House prices to rise 4% in 2024 as confidence returns
- CHINA+ - China’s residential property market still festering; no big policy shift yet
- EM ASIA - Firmer external demand should power up Singapore’s Q1 GDP
- LATAM - Disinflation continues in Brazil, despite food-related pressures
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
- Expect little change in the ISM services index today; either way, it’s a poor guide to services spending.
- The ADP employment report is hopelessly unreliable; take it seriously at your peril.
- The JOLTS quit rate is consistent with much weaker wage growth across the spring and summer, at least.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Core prices back on track; real after-tax income growth slowing sharply
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- The JOLTS quit rate flagged the surge in wages during the Great Rehiring. It now points to a sharp slowdown.
- Vehicle sales were probably little changed in March, suggesting a drag on Q1 consumption growth.
- A nascent recovery in manufacturing is finding its feet, but core goods prices look set to continue falling.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- February’s subdued core PCE price data support the idea that January’s spike was a one-time fluke.
- Consumption is on track for a 2% gain in Q1, down from 3.3% in Q4, and real income growth is slowing
- A modest uptick in ISM manufacturing is a decent bet, but the sector remains weak.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Expect a 0.3% core PCE, but surprises are possible; it’s impossible to replicate all the BEA’s methods.
- Quarterly real consumption growth looks on course for a meaningful slowdown in Q1.
- Governor Waller is in no rush to ease, but he is ignoring clear warning signs in the labor market numbers.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- Easter data distortions ahead; lower claims numbers today will likely reflect tricky seasonal adjustment.
- Core durable goods orders are very likely to drop when Easter is in March, then rebound in April.
- We expect a pick-up in the March Chicago PMI, and look out for revisions to the Michigan sentiment data.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- U.S. - Manufacturing output is stabilising, but a real rebound remains distant
- EUROZONE - How will the ECB deal with inflationary fiscal tightening?
- U.K. - How fast and how far can the MPC cut interest rates?
- CHINA+ - Japan’s wage-price spiral still in its infancy; BoJ admits it moved early
- EM ASIA - CBC hikes to nip the impact of higher electricity tariffs in the bud
- LATAM - Banxico finally joins the LatAm easing party, but with caution
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)Global
THE LABOR MARKET IS ABOUT TO SLOW, SHARPLY…
- …THE FED WILL RESPOND, BUT WHEN?
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US