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Consensus Core PCE Should Keep FOMC Forecast Attainable [2/3]

US DATA
  • A core PCE print of 0.13% M/M in May (per unrounded estimates in part 1) would see the three-month rate ease from 3.5% to 2.9% annualized but the six-month rate accelerate a tenth to 3.3% as the particularly soft 0.09% M/M from Nov’23 drops out.
  • Looking ahead, it would leave inflation on a good track to meet the FOMC’s recently upward revised core PCE forecast of 2.8% Y/Y for 4Q24 from the June SEP.
  • Indeed, it would be met with a monthly rate of 0.20% M/M from June onwards, implying a less troublesome 2.4% annualized over 2H24. That run rate would be close to the 2.3% that the median FOMC participant sees for end-2025 core PCE inflation – see chart.
  • Chair Powell touched on the base effects at play on 2024 figures here. From the MNI Fed Review of the June decision: On the increase in the PCE inflation forecasts for 2024 by 0.2pp to 2.6% (headline) and 2.8% (core) despite the softer May print, and that being compatible with a rate cut later this year, Powell chalked most of the PCE acceleration up to year/year base effects, saying "if you're at 2.6% or 2.7%, that's a really good place to be."

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