Fed Seen Pausing After Tame CPI Data, But Mission Not Over
- Core CPI posted smallest back-to-back gains in two years
- Policymakers are divided if they should hike rates further
This article is for subscribers only.
Federal Reserve policymakers are increasingly likely to leave interest rates unchanged at their next meeting after fresh evidence of easing inflation, but they’ll be careful to strike a tone that their job isn’t done yet.
A report Thursday showed the core consumer price index, which excludes often-volatile food and energy costs, rose 0.2% for a second month. That marked the smallest back-to-back gains in more than two years, adding to a steady wave of disinflation in recent months.