Inflation & Prices
Inflation Jump Is Likely More Muted in Fed’s Preferred Gauge
- PCE data due Feb. 29 will probably remain closer to 2% target
- Portfolio management component is big wild card, Sharif says
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The surprise jump in the January consumer price index probably will be less pronounced in the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge and potentially less alarming to central bank officials as they weigh when to cut interest rates.
Based on the latest CPI figures, the personal consumption expenditures price index excluding food and energy — due from the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Feb. 29 — probably rose 0.29% last month, Morgan Stanley economists said Tuesday in a note to clients.