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“How long are we going to keep saying this is the worst of it?”

Carl Quintanilla questioning Brian Deese, National Economic Council Director, about the June inflation numbers – CNBC, July 13, 2022

So much for peak inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) once again came in hotter than “expectations” for both headline and core inflation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the annual June CPI at 9.1%, an increase over May’s 8.6%. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, came in at 5.9%, slightly lower than May’s 6.0%. The monthly increase of 0.7% was slightly higher than the 0.6% of the previous 2 months. The report called the increase in prices “broad-based” and “…almost all major component indexes increased over the month.”

Despite being wrong for the last several months, the peak inflation narrative finally has a chance to come through with the next report on inflation. The prices of a large swath of commodities have plunged in recent weeks as it appears the Fed’s aggressive hawkishness is finally breaking the back of inflationary pressures. Financial markets have reflected these declines with large losses for commodity-related stocks. These declines continued today even in the face of the hot inflation print.

However, even if inflation’s momentum abates, prices promise to remain elevated for quite some time. Companies are warning in their earnings reports about this very prospect. For example, PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) reported yesterday the following observation and expectation on inflation (Source here):

“Balance of the year inflation is higher than it is for the first half of the year. I think we’ve mentioned in the past, we’re in the teens in terms of commodity inflation. That will continue, but a little bit higher in the back half.”

Company reports are typically more meaningful than the expectations of economists because companies have money on the line and profits at stake.

Ultimately, what matters most is how the Federal Reserve responds to the latest numbers. If the Fed stays the course, inflation’s momentum should take another step down. (Notably, Brian Deese acknowledged on CNBC that core inflation remains too high and outlined the myriad of inflation-fighting initiatives underway by the administration). If the Fed gives in to pressures to slow down and also communicates its belief that its job is near an end, I fully expect a massive rally in financial markets and asset prices…at least in the short term.

Be careful out there!

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