SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 – The August report came in at 2.5%, below my estimated 2.6%-2.8%. The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 0.9%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 2.9%. These figures bracket the annualized rate (2.5%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should remain in this area for awhile. The data is predicting a reading between 2.4% and 2.5% next month. I concur with the data.
As a side note, excluding rent CPI, the CPI has been slightly negative over the past four months. For the most part, deflation exists.
The market is telling the Fed to cut their rate by 25bp at the September meeting. As I have explained ad nauseum, the Fed FOLLOWS the market 100% of the time, so a 25bp cut is a near 100% certainty. Like death and taxes:) The odds of a 50bp cut are near zero. Til next month.
Shalom,
The Mann
Tag Archives: Inflation
INFLATION UPDATE
AUGUST 15, 2024 – The June report came in at 2.9%, below the consensus estimate of 3.2%. I had estimated 2.8%-2.9%. The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 1.3%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 4.0%. These figures bracket the annualized rate (2.9%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should remain in this area for awhile. The data is predicting a reading between 2.6% and 2.8% next month. I concur with the data.
The market is now expecting 125bp in rate reductions from September through January. That seems reasonable with unemployment rising and the CPI below 3%. Til next month.
Shalom,
The Mann
The market is now expecting 125bp in rate reductions from September through January. That seems reasonable with unemployment rising and the CPI below 3%. Til next month.
Shalom,
The Mann
INFLATION UPDATE
JULY 12, 2024 – The June report came in at 3.0%, below the consensus estimate of 3.4%. I didn’t expect quite so low. But, was not surprised. The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 2.4%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 4.9%. These figures bracket the annualized rate (3.0%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should remain in this area for awhile. The data is predicting a reading between 3.0% and 3.2% next month. I think 2.8%-2.9% is likely.
The market is expecting one rate reduction from the Fed – maybe in September or December. There is a very slim, but increasing, chance of a rate reduction at the upcoming July meeting. I have also seen a forecast of up to 8 reductions by next Summer. That seems extreme to me. But, if the unemployment rate goes up to 4.4%-4.5% and the CPI can stay below 3%, then the Fed may well make a 25bp reduction at every meeting once they start with the first one.
Shalom,
The Mann
P.S. For those that read to the end….One indicator I have seen shows Bitcoin at $240,000 next Summer. As I always, say, we shall see.
P.P.S. Two questions for you to research now that you will have to answer in the future. Are you an Accelerationalist or Deccelerationalist? And will you remain an entirely organic human (non-augmented) or have a machine imbedded into your brain to become a silicon-based superintelligent being (augmented)? If you will take the time to research these, you will thank me 5-10 years from now. Books to look into include The Singularity is Nearer and Homo Deus.
INFLATION UPDATE
JUNE 14, 2024 – Well, the May report is in, and it clocked a 3.3% inflation rate, just a hair below my forecast of 3.4%-3.6% and the consensus estimate of 3.4%. Meanwhile, the 3-month annualized inflation rate is holding steady at 5.0%, and the 6-month rate is at 4.6%. These numbers are higher than the annualized rate of 3.3%, signaling that we’re likely to see the annual CPI stick around these levels or even climb a bit higher for the foreseeable future. Next month’s reading is predicted to land between 3.3% and 3.4%, but I’m betting it’ll come in a tad lower.
Remember my prediction from last month about the Fed’s December statement? They had high hopes of lowering interest rates three times in 2024, which seemed pretty optimistic. The market was more cautious, expecting just one reduction, maybe in September or December. Following the market’s lead, the Fed has now revised their statement, hinting at just one rate cut before the year wraps up.
Here’s my take: although the Fed publicly aims for a 2% CPI target, it sure seems like they’re content with it hovering in the 3.0-3.5% range. Intentional? You bet.
Shalom,
The Mann
Remember my prediction from last month about the Fed’s December statement? They had high hopes of lowering interest rates three times in 2024, which seemed pretty optimistic. The market was more cautious, expecting just one reduction, maybe in September or December. Following the market’s lead, the Fed has now revised their statement, hinting at just one rate cut before the year wraps up.
Here’s my take: although the Fed publicly aims for a 2% CPI target, it sure seems like they’re content with it hovering in the 3.0-3.5% range. Intentional? You bet.
Shalom,
The Mann
INFLATION UPDATE
MAY 16, 2024 – The March report came in at 3.4%, at low end of my forecast of 3.4%-3.6% and below the consensus estimate of 3.5%. The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 6.7%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 3.8%. These figures are above the annualized rate (3.4%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should remain in this area or higher for awhile. The data is predicting a reading between 3.4% and 3.6% next month. I think this reasonable.
The Fed’s December statement that they expect to lower interest rates 3 times in 2024 looks to be inaccurate. The market is expecting one reduction – maybe in September or December.
It appears to me that although the Fed states their CPI target is 2% they are actually keeping it in 3.0-3.5% range on purpose.
Shalom,
The Mann
PS For those who read to the end, a tidbit of amazing information. By the Year 2100, the largest Age Group in the European Union will be 85 years and older. It won’t even be close. The second largest Age Group (55-59yo) will be about 60% the size. If you wonder why the world is going to robotics (Amazon has more robots than human employees now), it is because we simply won’t have enough human workers. The working age population worldwide is projected to decline beginning around 2050.
INFLATION UPDATE
APRIL 11, 2024 – The March report came in at 3.5%, above my forecast of 3.0%-3.2% and the consensus estimate of 3.4%. No doubt about it, this was a strong inflation reading.
The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 7.4%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 4.0%. These figures are significantly above the annualized rate (3.5%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should remain in this area or higher for awhile.
The data is predicting a reading between 3.2% and 3.6% next month. I think the reading will be between 3.4% and 3.6%.
The Fed’s December statement that they expect to lower interest rates 3 times in 2024 looks to be inaccurate. The market is expecting one reduction – maybe in June. As I always say, we shall see.
Shalom,
The Mann
The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 7.4%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 4.0%. These figures are significantly above the annualized rate (3.5%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should remain in this area or higher for awhile.
The data is predicting a reading between 3.2% and 3.6% next month. I think the reading will be between 3.4% and 3.6%.
The Fed’s December statement that they expect to lower interest rates 3 times in 2024 looks to be inaccurate. The market is expecting one reduction – maybe in June. As I always say, we shall see.
Shalom,
The Mann
INFLATION UPDATE
MARCH 13, 2024 – The February report came in at 3.2%, just above my forecast of 3.0%-3.1% and the consensus estimate of 3.1%.
The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 4.3%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 2.2%. These figures bracket the annualized rate (3.2%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should remain in this area for awhile.
The data is predicting a reading between 3.0% and 3.2% next month. I think this will be on target.
Shalom,
The Mann
INFLATION AND ECONOMY UPDATES
FEBRUARY 12, 2024 – The January report came in at 3.1%, just below my forecast of 3.2%-3.3%. and above the consensus estimate of 2.9%.
The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 1.0%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 1.8%. These figures are lower than the annualized rate (3.1%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should drift lower.
The data is predicting a reading between 2.6% and 2.7% next month. Like last month, I think this will be way off. Inflation is historically high in January and February. I am going to forecast 3.0%-3.1% for next month’s figure.
ECONOMY – We have had 6 straight quarters of above 2% GDP growth since the recession in the first half of 2022 ended. The last two quarters have been above 3% (!) and some forecasts expect another 3%+ figure for the First Quarter of 2024. With annual population growth around 0.7%, any GDP growth above that amount is exceptional. The chance of a recession occurring this year remains slim to nil. It certainly won’t occur in the first half of this year.
STOCKS – The Dow 30 continues its march towards 40,000. I never did see anyone else predict 40,000 this year. I suspect there are a few others like me out there somewhere. As they saay, never count your chickens before they hatch. 38k+ is not 40k. But, the stock market is saying the economy this Summer should be extremely strong.
The recession mongers couldn’t have been more wrong for the past 20 months. They will continue to be wrong into the foreseeable future.
Shalom,
The Mann
The 3-month annualized inflation rate is 1.0%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 1.8%. These figures are lower than the annualized rate (3.1%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should drift lower.
The data is predicting a reading between 2.6% and 2.7% next month. Like last month, I think this will be way off. Inflation is historically high in January and February. I am going to forecast 3.0%-3.1% for next month’s figure.
ECONOMY – We have had 6 straight quarters of above 2% GDP growth since the recession in the first half of 2022 ended. The last two quarters have been above 3% (!) and some forecasts expect another 3%+ figure for the First Quarter of 2024. With annual population growth around 0.7%, any GDP growth above that amount is exceptional. The chance of a recession occurring this year remains slim to nil. It certainly won’t occur in the first half of this year.
STOCKS – The Dow 30 continues its march towards 40,000. I never did see anyone else predict 40,000 this year. I suspect there are a few others like me out there somewhere. As they saay, never count your chickens before they hatch. 38k+ is not 40k. But, the stock market is saying the economy this Summer should be extremely strong.
The recession mongers couldn’t have been more wrong for the past 20 months. They will continue to be wrong into the foreseeable future.
Shalom,
The Mann
VARIOUS FORECASTS FOR 2024
JANUARY 13, 2024 – No one took me up on my offer to ask me to forecast something…anything. However, I have found a web site that holds forecasting contests on an ongoing basis. The main contest for this year has 36 questions. I won’t bore you with all of them. But, I will list my initial forecasts for a few questions you might find pertinent. I will likely change my %’s weekly or monthly. Here goes….The percentage after the question is my forecast.
Will the S&P 500 Index go up over 2024? 90%
Will annual US Core Inflation be above 3% in December 2024? 32%
Will the Fed Funds Rate on December 31, 2024 be below 4%? 4%
Will the US unemployment rate be above 4% in November 2024? 54%…this one is a tossup. A key word is ABOVE 4%. If it included 4%, I would be much higher on my %.
There are several questions Re Trump and the Election and other political issues. I will just stick with economic questions here.
We shall see how I do. It is nice to finally be measured on how accurate my forecasts will be. I will let you know the results when the contest is over – I believe that will be early next year.
Shalom,
The Mann
Will the S&P 500 Index go up over 2024? 90%
Will annual US Core Inflation be above 3% in December 2024? 32%
Will the Fed Funds Rate on December 31, 2024 be below 4%? 4%
Will the US unemployment rate be above 4% in November 2024? 54%…this one is a tossup. A key word is ABOVE 4%. If it included 4%, I would be much higher on my %.
There are several questions Re Trump and the Election and other political issues. I will just stick with economic questions here.
We shall see how I do. It is nice to finally be measured on how accurate my forecasts will be. I will let you know the results when the contest is over – I believe that will be early next year.
Shalom,
The Mann
INFLATION UPDATE
JANUARY 12, 2024 – The December report came in at 3.4%, below my forecast of 3.6%. and above the consensus estimate of 3.2%. Annual inflation of 3.4% was well below the double-digits many people were predicting at the beginning of the year and about double what I had forecast it would be.
The 3-month annualized inflation rate is -1.4%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 1.1%. These figures are lower than the annualized rate (3.4%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should drift lower.
The data is predicting a reading between 2.4% and 2.7% next month. However, I think this will be way off. Inflation is historically high in January and February. I am going to forecast 3.2%-3.3% for next month’s figure.
Shalom,
The Mann
The 3-month annualized inflation rate is -1.4%. The 6-month annualized inflation rate is 1.1%. These figures are lower than the annualized rate (3.4%) and thus indicate the annual CPI should drift lower.
The data is predicting a reading between 2.4% and 2.7% next month. However, I think this will be way off. Inflation is historically high in January and February. I am going to forecast 3.2%-3.3% for next month’s figure.
Shalom,
The Mann