Weekly economic & financial commentary
U.S. Week in Review:
Stronger labor market data and cooler inflation reduce the odds of near-term Fed easing. Job growth surprised to the upside (+130K), unemployment fell (4.3%) and recent hiring looks more stable than in outright deterioration—strengthening the Fed's case to stay on hold. At the same time, CPI cooled more than expected with the annual rate on core inflation touching its lowest in nearly five years (2.5%), reinforcing the disinflation trend and keeping the door open to cuts later in the year. The latest data suggest a March rate cut looks increasingly unlikely, but the prospects for additional rate cuts remains alive for later in the year.
U.S. Week in Review:
Stronger labor market data and cooler inflation reduce the odds of near-term Fed easing. Job growth surprised to the upside (+130K), unemployment fell (4.3%) and recent hiring looks more stable than in outright deterioration—strengthening the Fed's case to stay on hold. At the same time, CPI cooled more than expected with the annual rate on core inflation touching its lowest in nearly five years (2.5%), reinforcing the disinflation trend and keeping the door open to cuts later in the year. The latest data suggest a March rate cut looks increasingly unlikely, but the prospects for additional rate cuts remains alive for later in the year.
