US consumer prices rose more than expected in January, with a measure of underlying inflation posting its biggest gain in a year, strengthening expectations the Federal Reserve will have to quicken the pace of interest rate increases this year. The fairly strong inflation report from the Labour Department on Wednesday put more pressure on US financial markets, which were spooked by a surge in annual wage growth in January.
Prices of US Treasuries fell on the inflation data. The dollar initially rose against a basket of currencies but later surrendered the gains. Stocks on Wall Street opened lower before erasing losses. Investors worry that inflation, which is seen as being driven by a tightening labour market and increased government spending, could force the Fed to be more aggressive in raising rates this year than currently anticipated.
That would slow economic growth. The US central bank has forecast three rate hikes for this year, with the first increase expected in March. "The Fed's job now is to prevent the economy from overheating," said Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC Financial in Pittsburgh. "The Fed's task is complicated by the recent tax cuts and spending deal."
The Labour Department said its Consumer Price Index increased 0.5 percent last month as households paid more for gasoline, rental accommodation and healthcare. The CPI rose 0.2 percent in December. The year-on-year increase in the CPI was unchanged at 2.1 percent as the large price gains from last year dropped out of the calculation.
Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the CPI shot up 0.3 percent. That was the largest increase since January 2017 and followed a 0.2 percent rise in December. The year-on-year rise in the so-called core CPI was unchanged at 1.8 percent in January, also because of less favourable base effects.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the CPI increasing 0.3 percent in January and the core CPI rising 0.2 percent. The core CPI is viewed as a better measure of underlying inflation trends. The Fed tracks a different index, the personal consumption expenditures price index excluding food and energy, which has consistently undershot the central bank's 2 percent target since mid-2012.
Base effects will turn more favourable in March, which economists say would set the course for higher annual inflation readings. Average hourly earnings jumped 2.9 percent on an annual basis in January, the largest rise since June 2009, from 2.7 percent in December.
A pickup in wage growth as the labour market hits full employment is expected to contribute to higher inflation this year. Price pressures are also seen being fanned by fiscal stimulus in the form of a $1.5 trillion tax cut package and increased government spending.
Rising inflation could hurt consumer spending, which is already showing signs of slowing. A separate report from the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed retail sales decreased 0.3 percent in January, the largest decline since February 2017, after being unchanged in December.
Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales were unchanged last month after dropping 0.2 percent in December. These so-called core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product. Consumer spending, however, remains supported by a strong labour market, rising wages and tax cuts.
Inflation last month was driven by gasoline prices, which rebounded 5.7 percent after falling 0.8 percent in December. Crude oil prices surged in January on strong global demand and a weaker dollar. Food prices rose 0.2 percent in January, likely reflecting dollar depreciation. The core CPI was boosted by rising rents. Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence, which is what a homeowner would pay to rent or receive from renting a home, gained 0.3 percent after rising by the same margin in December.
The cost of healthcare services increased 0.4 percent, with prices for hospital care jumping 1.3 percent and the cost of doctor visits rising 0.3 percent. Apparel prices surged 1.7 percent, the biggest increase since February 1990. There were also increases in the cost of motor vehicle insurance, which recorded its largest gain since November 2001. Prices of personal care products posted their biggest increase in three years. But consumers got some respite from airline fares, which fell for a third straight month in January. Prices of new motor vehicles slipped last month and the costs of recreation, communication and alcohol were unchanged.
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