US CPI Preview: Dollar set to climb on low core expectations, three scenarios


  • Economists expect Core CPI – the market-moving figure – to have risen by 0.3% in August. 
  • Relatively low expectations open the door to an upside surprise. 
  • The Fed is set to raise rates by 75 bps next week, data is critical for following moves.

Everybody wants to be ahead of the curve – the Federal Reserve ahead of inflation and market participants ahead of their peers. The dollar is already falling on expectations of easing prices – but this rush could prove premature. I think that low expectations for August's Consumer Price Index report are a recipe for a greenback comeback.

One of the comments that triggered the recent dumping of dollars came from US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The former Fed Chair said that she expects lower inflation in August due to the ongoing drop in gasoline prices. Indeed, it is hard to argue that oil squeeze would fuel a negative print in headline CPI. However, Core CPI – everything excluding food and energy prices is what matters to the Fed.

The economic calendar is pointing to Core CPI coming out at 0.3% MoM, a repeat of July. While forecasting that the near past will repeat itself seems logical, it is a significant clmb down for economists. It is the lowest estimate in 11 months:

Source: FXStreet

After three consecutive months of underestimating Core CPI, the consensus overestimated in July – 0.5% expected, actual only 0.3% – and now the pendulum has swung in the other direction. Has it gone too far? That is my argument.

The American economy is still steaming hot, gaining 315,000 jobs in August and benefiting from growing demand for services such as leisure and hospitality, in the first full post-pandemic summer season. 

It is hard to see another month of moderate price rises. A minor beat of 0.4% would show that the Fed still has a long way to go to cool inflation. A 0.4% monthly increase is roughly 5% annualized, far above the bank's 2% target. 

However, as every tenth matters, we need to consider all scenarios.

CPI and USD

1) Higher than expected: Assuming expectations are too low, a beat such as 0.4% or 0.5% on Core CPI would spark dollar buying, raising the chances of a fourth consecutive jumbo-sized interest rate hike and undoing some of the downside correction. Such a counter-move to dollar sales which have been triggered by expectations for softer Fed moves in September.

The Fed is set to raise borrowing costs by 75 bps next week, doing it for the third time. In his last speech before the bank's blackout period, Fed Chair Jerome Powell did not push back against market expectations of such a move later in the month.

2) As expected: Core CPI of 0.3% MoM would serve as a second consecutive slowdown in underlying inflation, reflecting under 4% annualized Core CPI. That is still high, justifying the upcoming 75 bps move, but also adding to the case of a slowdown by the bank.

A scenario of a 50 bps hike in November would gain more strength. The dollar would likely consolidate recent losses, without going too far. Attention would move to Retail Sales figures coming out later in the week. 

3) Below expectations: Any surprising deceleration in Core CPI would hit the dollar hard. A 0.2% monthly increase is something like 2.5% in annualized terms, almost at the Fed's target. Officials would warn that it could be a one-off, but markets would shoot first and think later.

It would cast doubt on the Fed's upcoming meeting, sending investors to closely watch Nick Timiraos of the Wall Street Journal, the person who conveyed the previous last-minute change by the Fed back in June.

Even in the more likely scenario of the Fed sticking to its plans for September, these drops in inflation would trigger expectations for rate cuts in 2023. In the short term, the dollar would tumble. 

Final thoughts

The CPI release provides the first hard evidence of inflation, which remains the Fed's focus. Surveys of inflation expectations are only opinions, not prices, and the PCE inflation report is due out only later in the month. 

Market volatility is high and is set to further rise in response to the release – trade with care. 

 

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended Content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD stays vulnerable near 1.0600 ahead of US inflation data

EUR/USD stays vulnerable near 1.0600 ahead of US inflation data

EUR/USD remains under pressure near 1.0600 in European trading on Wednesday. The pair faces headwinds from the US Dollar upsurge, Germany's political instability and a cautiou market mood, as traders look to US CPI data and Fedspeak for fresh directives. 

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD trades with caution below 1.2750, awaits BoE Mann, US CPI

GBP/USD trades with caution below 1.2750, awaits BoE Mann, US CPI

GBP/USD trades with caution below 1.2750 in the European session on Wednesday, holding its losing streak. Traders turn risk-averse and refrain from placing fresh bets on the pair ahead of BoE policymaker Mann's speech and US CPI data. 

GBP/USD News
Gold price holds above $2,600 mark, bulls seem non committed ahead of US CPI

Gold price holds above $2,600 mark, bulls seem non committed ahead of US CPI

Gold price staged a modest recovery from a nearly two-month low touched on Tuesday. Elevated US bond yields and bullish USD cap gains for the non-yielding XAU/USD. Traders now look forward to the key US Consumer Price Index report a fresh impetus. 

Gold News
US CPI data set to confirm inflation ramped up in October as traders pare back Fed rate cut bets

US CPI data set to confirm inflation ramped up in October as traders pare back Fed rate cut bets

As measured by the CPI, inflation in the US is expected to increase at an annual rate of 2.6% in October, a tad higher than the 2.4% growth reported in September. The core annual CPI inflation, excluding volatile food and energy prices, will likely remain at 3.3% in the same period.

Read more
Forex: Trump 2.0 – A high-stakes economic rollercoaster for global markets

Forex: Trump 2.0 – A high-stakes economic rollercoaster for global markets

The "Trump trade" is back in full force, shaking up global markets in the aftermath of the November 5th U.S. election. This resurgence has led to substantial shifts in both currency and bond markets, with the U.S. dollar index (DXY) jumping 2.0% + since election day.

Read more
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

Majors

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures