In November, inflation at the wholesale level in the United States showed signs of moderation, providing further indication that the grip of high consumer prices on the economy might be loosening. The Labor Department’s producer price index (PPI), measuring inflation before it reaches consumers, remained unchanged from the previous month. On an annual basis, wholesale prices were up by 0.9%, marking a notable decline from the 1.3% recorded in September.

Better Than Expected Figures

The latest PPI figures are better than expected, with the monthly gain of 0.1% and an annual figure of 1% predicted by Refinitiv economists. Core prices, which exclude the more volatile measurements of food and energy, were also unchanged for the month, coming in lower than the estimated 0.2%. On a 12-month basis, core prices increased by 2.2%, down from the 2.4% recorded the previous month.

Implications for the Federal Reserve

These consecutive reports on inflation have significant implications for the Federal Reserve, which has been aggressively raising interest rates to curb inflation. The central bank has approved 11 rate hikes since March 2022, bringing the federal funds rate to its highest level since 2001. However, with the recent decline in inflation, policymakers are expected to skip an interest-rate hike for the third consecutive time at their final meeting of the year. Many economists anticipate that the Fed might soon pivot to cutting rates, given the notable decline in inflation over the past few months.

Economic Outlook

The moderation in wholesale inflation is a positive signal for the U.S. economy, suggesting that the efforts to cool down inflation may be having an impact. Lower wholesale prices could eventually translate into relief for consumers, alleviating some of the financial pressures experienced in recent months. The Federal Reserve’s approach to future rate decisions will likely be influenced by the evolving inflationary landscape and its impact on the broader economic outlook.

In conclusion, the latest data on wholesale inflation in November indicates a potential easing of pressure on the U.S. economy. The Federal Reserve’s decisions in response to these developments will be closely watched as the central bank navigates its monetary policy in the coming months.

Download our app MadbuMax on the Apple App Store for the latest news and financial tools. Interested in getting your finances in order do not forget to check Dr. Paul Etienne’s best-seller book on personal finance. To access more resources, tools, and services please click here. Also, do not forget to follow Dr. Etienne on IG or Twitter.