Between yesterday’s Producer Price Index summary and this morning’s update on Import and Export Prices, the US economy received two very strong disinflationary signals.
The Producer Price Index for final demand fell 0.5 percent in July, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This decline followed advances of 1.0 percent in June and 0.8 percent in May. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, final demand prices moved up 9.8 percent for the 12 months ended in July.
Most notably, declines were seen across all product categories except food, which surged to 1% month-on-month and 15% year-on-year.
U.S. import prices decreased 1.4 percent in July, after advancing 0.3 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Lower fuel and nonfuel prices in July contributed to the decline in U.S. import prices. The price index for U.S. exports fell 3.3 percent in July following a 0.7-percent advance the previous month.
While both indices still show high price inflation year-on-year, the decline in month-on-month inflation rates in producer prices, import prices, and export prices are reason to be cautiously optimistic that consumer price inflation itself has finally peaked in this country.
Whether these signal ameliorating disinflation or outright deflation leading to further economic contraction and collapse will be the questions to be answered throughout this coming month.
I wouldn't worry about inflation going down, the Inflation Reduction Act is right around the corner, and certain states like California will probably throw some gas on the fire, we can get back to double digits!!!
Peter, few of us can get a feel for this data like you, but I am getting the impression that it is not that it is that bad here, but that it sucks incredibly poorly every where else!
How much of this is incompetence, mismanagement, or deliberate destruction, and will we be spared the worst of it, only to be sacrificed to the gods of the Infernal Revenue Service?
I wouldn't worry about inflation going down, the Inflation Reduction Act is right around the corner, and certain states like California will probably throw some gas on the fire, we can get back to double digits!!!
Peter, few of us can get a feel for this data like you, but I am getting the impression that it is not that it is that bad here, but that it sucks incredibly poorly every where else!
How much of this is incompetence, mismanagement, or deliberate destruction, and will we be spared the worst of it, only to be sacrificed to the gods of the Infernal Revenue Service?