• US inflation soared above all estimates with high breadth
  • Manchin’s take makes further fiscal stimulus DOA, or smaller
  • FOMC ‘dots’ are likely to pull forward rate hikes in 2022…
  • ...while nonfarm and inflation risk expedited 2022H2 taper path

US CPI, m/m headline/core %, SA, October:
Actual: 0.9 / 0.6
Scotia: 0.5 / 0.4
Consensus: 0.6 / 0.4
Prior: 0.4 / 0.2

US CPI, y/y headline/core %, October:
Actual: 6.2 / 4.6
Scotia: 5.8 / 4.3
Consensus: 5.9 / 4.3
Prior: (revised from 5.4 / 4.0)

US inflation soared last month no matter how you look at it. Every measure exceeded every economist’s expectations including my own, but loosely met guidance that the risk was toward higher than estimated readings. This may, however, be a top for the year-over-year rates as only another very powerful gain next month would keep the year-over-year CPI rate unchanged instead of slipping. We’re still likely to get a prolonged period of elevated month-over-month annualized readings for an extended period which remains the best way to monitor inflation risk.

The December FOMC meeting is likely to see the dot plot pull forward the first hike into 2022. While the FOMC has pre-committed to the taper path in December, inflation and nonfarm readings like we’ve received may also indicate a bias on the committee toward expediting tapering over 2022H1 at the same meeting.

Because of such expectations, US Treasury yields spiked after the release including an 8 bps gain in the two-year yield on the day and a 4bps move in 10s as the curve bear flattened.

Headline inflation hit the highest since November 1990 and was just one-tenth shy of that mark. Core inflation tied with August 1991.

Chart 1 shows the year-over-year rates of core price inflation and how the Fed’s preferred core PCE reading is likely to follow to well over 4% y/y on November 24th (likely ~4.2% y/y).

Chart 2 shows the m/m seasonally adjusted and annualized rates of headline and core CPI to distinguish from year-over-year effects.

Chart 3 shows that the connection between the ebbs and flows in COVID-19 cases and inflation remained intact; the decline in cases fed activity that propelled prices higher last month. See the Global Week Ahead and accompanying chart deck for how we can’t just leave inflation drivers at that, as the US economy is on the verge of heading into excess aggregate demand alongside sharply rising wage pressures.

Breadth was very high. When it’s your home(s), vehicle(s) and food that are all contributing toward higher prices, then it’s pretty dang clear that this isn’t just a series of distortions and one-off effects. Central bankers—perhaps especially Chair Powell—–have seriously misjudged the breadth and durability of inflation. We’ll soon see who (Powell or Brainard) gave the most compelling arguments in their interviews with President Biden.

Chart 4 shows the breakdown in terms of core goods and services price inflation. Core goods inflation accelerated the most with a services assist.

Chart 5 shows the month-over-month unweighted changes in seasonally adjusted prices by component and chart 6 shows the weighted contributions. Charts 7 and 8 do likewise for the year-over-year drivers.


In general, high breadth was showcased by a mixture of reopening/Delta variant effects and more durable ones like OER and rent. Across the drivers, food at home prices were up +1% m/m , food away from home (take-out etc) was up +0.8%, new vehicles were up 1.4% m/m , used vehicles 2.5%, medical care joined the party up 0.6% for commodities and 0.5% for services, shelter was up 0.5% for the strongest gain since June, electricity prices were up 1.8% etc etc. Only apparel was soft at 0% m/m following the prior month's -1.1% so budgets shifted to everything else as Delta cases subsided.

In y/y terms, it was homes and autos that were far and away the biggest drivers. Rent of shelter adding almost 1.2 ppts to headline, used vehicles adding >3/4 ppts, new vehicles almost 0.4. Put another way, the only things dragging y/y down are health insurance (which I still think is transitory), leased cars and trucks and public transportation by a whisker (which includes airfare).

As for social distancing components, the evidence was somewhat mixed last month:

  • airfare was down 0.7% m/m for a 3rd straight decline
  • lodging away from home was up 1.4% for the first gain in 4 months
  • car and truck rental was up 3.1% m/ for the 1st gain in 3 months
  • restaurant prices were up 0.9% m/m which has posted steady gains through ebbs and flows in cases.

The electricity grid issues over the months have seen strong gains of between 0.8% m/m – now 1.8% m/m, but even the latest gain only adds 0.04 ppts to headline CPI so it wasn't a material factor.

Ditto for piped gas prices that were up 6.6% m/m SA, but the small weight only had it adding 5 one-hundredths to headline CPI in m/m terms which made it a tiny influence.

That may well be the peak in y/y terms. In order to maintain the y/y headline and core readings, we'd need another month of 0.7–0.8% m/m gains in December which is not impossible, but is improbable. Elevated year-ago readings will persist into 2022 but begin to dissipate, but the month-over-month annualized readings will be the ones to watch. Again, see the Global Week Ahead for the arguments around the next leg of US inflationary pressures beyond pandemic and supply chain influences.

Shortly after the release, Senator Manchin tweeted that inflation is not transitory, is getting worse and that “DC can no longer ignore” the inflation tax. That likely means his support won’t be there for further fiscal stimulus.

Please also see the accompanying collection of charts for individual inflation drivers as well as the dashboard of inflation drivers and deviations from cycle norms with thanks to Marc Ercolao for his help. Regular publishing will resume on Monday.



DISCLAIMER

This report has been prepared by Scotiabank Economics as a resource for the clients of Scotiabank. Opinions, estimates and projections contained herein are our own as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. The information and opinions contained herein have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed reliable but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy or completeness. Neither Scotiabank nor any of its officers, directors, partners, employees or affiliates accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this report or its contents.

These reports are provided to you for informational purposes only. This report is not, and is not constructed as, an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any financial instrument, nor shall this report be construed as an opinion as to whether you should enter into any swap or trading strategy involving a swap or any other transaction. The information contained in this report is not intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation of a swap or trading strategy involving a swap within the meaning of U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regulation 23.434 and Appendix A thereto. This material is not intended to be individually tailored to your needs or characteristics and should not be viewed as a “call to action” or suggestion that you enter into a swap or trading strategy involving a swap or any other transaction. Scotiabank may engage in transactions in a manner inconsistent with the views discussed this report and may have positions, or be in the process of acquiring or disposing of positions, referred to in this report.

Scotiabank, its affiliates and any of their respective officers, directors and employees may from time to time take positions in currencies, act as managers, co-managers or underwriters of a public offering or act as principals or agents, deal in, own or act as market makers or advisors, brokers or commercial and/or investment bankers in relation to securities or related derivatives. As a result of these actions, Scotiabank may receive remuneration. All Scotiabank products and services are subject to the terms of applicable agreements and local regulations. Officers, directors and employees of Scotiabank and its affiliates may serve as directors of corporations.

Any securities discussed in this report may not be suitable for all investors. Scotiabank recommends that investors independently evaluate any issuer and security discussed in this report, and consult with any advisors they deem necessary prior to making any investment.

This report and all information, opinions and conclusions contained in it are protected by copyright. This information may not be reproduced without the prior express written consent of Scotiabank.

™ Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. Used under license, where applicable.

Scotiabank, together with “Global Banking and Markets”, is a marketing name for the global corporate and investment banking and capital markets businesses of The Bank of Nova Scotia and certain of its affiliates in the countries where they operate, including; Scotiabank Europe plc; Scotiabank (Ireland) Designated Activity Company; Scotiabank Inverlat S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Scotiabank Inverlat, Scotia Inverlat Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Scotiabank Inverlat, Scotia Inverlat Derivados S.A. de C.V. – all members of the Scotiabank group and authorized users of the Scotiabank mark. The Bank of Nova Scotia is incorporated in Canada with limited liability and is authorised and regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada. The Bank of Nova Scotia is authorized by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority and is subject to regulation by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of The Bank of Nova Scotia's regulation by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request. Scotiabank Europe plc is authorized by the UK Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the UK Prudential Regulation Authority.

Scotiabank Inverlat, S.A., Scotia Inverlat Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V, Grupo Financiero Scotiabank Inverlat, and Scotia Inverlat Derivados, S.A. de C.V., are each authorized and regulated by the Mexican financial authorities.

Not all products and services are offered in all jurisdictions. Services described are available in jurisdictions where permitted by law.