Weekly Market Recap
Rocky mountain high
16/05/2022
Week in review
- Australian consumer confidence index falls to 90.4
- Australia business conditions index rises 20.1
- U.S. CPI inflation hotter at 8.3% y/y
Week ahead
- Australia wage growth
- U.S. CPI inflation
- China CPI inflation
Thought of the week
Inflation is still running hot in the U.S. economy. The inflation report for April was higher than consensus and prices rose by 8.3% y/y. The higher inflation was not welcomed by the markets as it suggested that the U.S. Fed may have a bigger inflation challenge to overcome. However, the bigger question is whether the economy is passing the peak of inflation and if things will cool from here. The answer is yes. There was some relief for consumers as energy, car and apparel prices all fell compared to the prior month and is part of the broader trend of a rotation in spending from goods to services. We expect that the base effects from higher prices compared to a year ago will see headline inflation continue to moderate. Inflation is likely to remain above the Fed’s 2% target for sometime, but the sequential decline in price rises may see the Fed ease back on its hawkish tone, especially as the economy slows into year end. This should provide some reprieve to battered equity and fixed income markets.
Passing the peak
Contribution of themes to headline U.S. CPI inflation