1. U.S. CPI rose0.4% on the month, above expectations of0.3%. 2. Headline CPI held steady at3.7% Y/Y, compared to forecasts for a slower increase of3.6%. 3. The annual CPI rate is at the highest level since May 2023. 4. U.S. core CPI rose0.3% M/M, matching estimates. 5. Headline core CPI slowed to4.1% Y/Y from the4.3% reading in August. 6. The annual core CPI rate fell to the lowest level since September 2021.
Key Takeaway:Sticky and persistent inflation will force the Fed to raise interest rates at least one more time before the end of the year and then leave them at higher levels for longer. Taking that into consideration, the Fed’s inflation battle is far from over.