Goods disinflation continues; margins and other services still sticky.
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
Generous seasonals still depressing claims, but an uptrend is coming.
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)US
Some downside growth risks recognized, but attention still mostly on inflation
Ian Shepherdson (Chief Economist, Chairman and Founder)US
- 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
- 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 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
Cost pressures ease further for services companies
Oliver Allen (Senior US Economist)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
- 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