Consumer Price Index (CPI)
This morning’s major economic release was September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) that showed inflation at the consumer level of the economy was a bit softer than expected last month. The overall CPI for September rose 0.3% while the more important core data that excludes volatile food and energy costs was up 0.2%. Both were 0.1% lighter than predictions, as were the year-over-year readings. On an annual basis, the overall and core CPI readings stood at a 3.0% pace when they were expected to be at a 3.1% rate. In short, today’s report indicated consumer inflation did increase again last month, albeit not as much as thought. Accordingly, we can label the data slightly favorable for bonds and mortgage rates. That said, the recent rally in bonds leading up to today’s release makes it appear that traders were hoping for even weaker numbers. This could be the reason for a lack of a stronger positive reaction to the news.