Higher core inflation should challenge ECB signalling of a June rate cut

Euro area core inflation has picked up recently in trend terms on stronger services inflation.
Kieran Davies

Coolabah Capital

The ECB has long signalled a strong preference to start cutting rates in June, but the recent pick-up in underlying inflation should give policy-makers pause for thought, as well as reinforcing the view there is little to be gained in offering the market clear forward guidance on policy over the rest of this year.   

On CCI's seasonal adjustment, the core CPI for the euro area rose by 0.3% in April after a 0.2% rise in March, having previously increased by 0.3% three months in a row after an inexplicable 0.3% fall in November. The estimated trend in the core CPI is now growing at an annualised monthly rate of 3½%, up from a low of about 1½% in November

  • Core goods prices continued to follow the lead of the USA, falling by another 0.1% in April after flatlining over prior months. In trend terms, annualised monthly core goods disinflation continued to intensify, reaching an estimated -1¼% in April.

  • Disappointingly, services prices resumed growing strongly, up 0.4% in April after a 0.3% increase in March (initially estimated as a 0.2% increase). Estimated trend annualised monthly services inflation has accelerated to about 5%, reflecting the strong April result and revised recent history. This compares with a low of about 1¾% late last year.

As for activity in the euro area, the broad stagnation in real GDP since late 2022 probably weighs on the minds of some ECB policy-makers, although even on that front recent data have been stronger than expected, with output increasing by 0.3% in Q1 after falling by 0.1% for two quarters in a row. 

However, the importance of the long stretch of weak GDP can be overstated, in that it never curbed firms' hiring plans, with the euro area unemployment rate still holding at a multi-decade low of around 6½%.  

EA core inflation has picked up recently in trend terms
EA core inflation has picked up recently in trend terms
Goods prices are falling, but services inflation has
picked up
Goods prices are falling, but services inflation has picked up


EA GDP picked up a little in Q1 after languishing for
more than a year
EA GDP picked up a little in Q1 after languishing for more than a year
........
Investment Disclaimer Past performance does not assure future returns. All investments carry risks, including that the value of investments may vary, future returns may differ from past returns, and that your capital is not guaranteed. This information has been prepared by Coolabah Capital Investments Pty Ltd (ACN 153 327 872). It is general information only and is not intended to provide you with financial advice. You should not rely on any information herein in making any investment decisions. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. The Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the funds should be considered before deciding whether to acquire or hold units in it. A PDS for these products can be obtained by visiting www.coolabahcapital.com. Neither Coolabah Capital Investments Pty Ltd, Equity Trustees Ltd (ACN 004 031 298) nor their respective shareholders, directors and associated businesses assume any liability to investors in connection with any investment in the funds, or guarantees the performance of any obligations to investors, the performance of the funds or any particular rate of return. The repayment of capital is not guaranteed. Investments in the funds are not deposits or liabilities of any of the above-mentioned parties, nor of any Authorised Deposit-taking Institution. The funds are subject to investment risks, which could include delays in repayment and/or loss of income and capital invested. Past performance is not an indicator of nor assures any future returns or risks. Coolabah Capital Investments (Retail) Pty Limited (CCIR) (ACN 153 555 867) is an authorised representative (#000414337) of Coolabah Capital Institutional Investments Pty Ltd (CCII) (AFSL 482238). Both CCIR and CCII are wholly owned subsidiaries of Coolabah Capital Investments Pty Ltd. Equity Trustees Ltd (AFSL 240975) is the Responsible Entity for these funds. Equity Trustees Ltd is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ACN 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Forward-Looking Disclaimer This presentation contains some forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what Coolabah Capital Investments Pty Ltd believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Coolabah Capital Investments Pty Ltd undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Kieran Davies
Chief Macro Strategist
Coolabah Capital

Based in Sydney, Kieran Davies is Chief Macro Strategist at Coolabah Capital Investments, an asset manager with 40 executives and over $8 billion in fixed-income strategies. Kieran is responsible for macroeconomic research and investment strategy,...

I would like to

Only to be used for sending genuine email enquiries to the Contributor. Livewire Markets Pty Ltd reserves its right to take any legal or other appropriate action in relation to misuse of this service.

Personal Information Collection Statement
Your personal information will be passed to the Contributor and/or its authorised service provider to assist the Contributor to contact you about your investment enquiry. They are required not to use your information for any other purpose. Our privacy policy explains how we store personal information and how you may access, correct or complain about the handling of personal information.

Comments

Sign In or Join Free to comment