empty
14.10.2022 11:32 PM
US consumer price report: no good news

The US Department of Commerce has published a report on the level of consumer prices - for September. Stock markets were reacting lower

US consumer price report: no good news

This image is no longer relevant

According to the Ministry of Commerce, retail sales in the United States stalled last month. Experts see the reason that buyers have become more cautious about discretionary purchases amid the worst inflationary environment in recent decades and rising interest rates.

Although the cost of total retail purchases in September remained virtually unchanged after an upward revision of 0.4% in August, this is not very good news. As the season of preparation for winter begins, as well as the usual growth of business activity for autumn, this should lead to an increase in spending by Americans, as it happens every year. From buying winter tires and Christmas gifts to repairing roofs – that year, the usual practice for northern latitudes of preparing for the cold seems to be going too sluggishly.

Excluding gasoline, retail sales increased by only 0.1% (the figures are not adjusted for inflation).

Moreover, seven of the 13 retail categories declined last month, including a drop in revenue from car dealers, furniture stores, sporting goods stores and electronics sellers. The cost of sales at gas stations fell by 1.4%, reflecting lower fuel prices, but now prices are rising.

It is still difficult to say to what extent Hurricane Ian, which devastated Florida and parts of South Carolina at the end of last month, affected the overall picture. It can be assumed that residents of the southern states preferred to save on restaurants and entertainment, but then they had to increase their stocks, preparing for a meeting with the elements.

Weaker retail sales data highlights that consumers are under increasing pressure due to rampant price pressures. With inflation showing few signs of slowing, many Americans still rely on credit cards and savings to keep up, and having splurged on essentials, there are few funds left for secondary purchases.

This situation confirms the assumption that the Federal Reserve is not going to stop and is likely to increase the pace of interest rate hikes in order to suppress demand in the economy. Unfortunately, sales data show that this is already happening in the real sector and without the participation of the Fed (although there is no failure in the volume of transactions in financial markets).

The average bill in building materials stores fell by 0.4% after a significant increase in the previous two months, despite preparations for the cold weather. This only highlights the impact of higher borrowing costs. Mortgage rates are currently the highest in the last two decades, forcing Americans to squeeze in spending.

There are also growing risks that a tougher policy will lead the US into recession at a time when consumers are already ready to increase costs, which could make the recession even more painful.

Overall, the current data highlighted the seriousness of the Fed's inflation conundrum: a key consumer price indicator jumped to a 40-year high last month. Inflation is far outpacing wage growth, and most of the growth was due to jumps in the cost of food, housing and medical care, i.e. the essential segment.

In addition to the fact that the retail sales report has not been adjusted to account for price increases, it only briefly reflects the costs of services where Americans transfer more of their dollars. A more complete picture of September household demand, which includes both spending on services and inflation-adjusted data, will be released later this month.

Sales of the so-called control group, which are used to calculate gross domestic product and exclude catering services, car dealers, building materials stores and gas stations, rose 0.4% in September after an upwardly revised 0.2% increase in the previous month. This fully indicates that Americans are stockpiling ahead of the winter months, accompanied by inflation. It is also likely that this year the preparation for the Christmas holidays will begin in October. This means that December will not justify the hopes of economists placed on it, upsetting the markets with low sales, as it was last year.

Egor Danilov,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US Market News Digest for June 12: US stock market closes lower in light of US-China trade deal

US stock markets ended the session lower after the US and China had nailed down the highly anticipated trade deal. Despite the positive news backdrop, investors began to lock

Ekaterina Kiseleva 16:31 2025-06-12 UTC+2

Robinhood drops from the S&P 500 — domino effect hits global markets

Robinhood shares fell after the trading platform was excluded from the S&P 500. Warner Bros. stock declined following the company's announcement of plans to restructure its business. European stocks slid

14:54 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Daily contrasts: Nikkei rises, EUR slips, global markets hold breath ahead of US-China talks

J.M. Smucker declines. The World Bank cuts its 2025 global growth forecast. Nikkei advances, while Wall Street futures and the euro weaken. The dollar shows little movement, and bond markets

14:31 2025-06-11 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 11

The US stock market has reached projected levels and now enters a "quiet scouting phase" as investors await the release of key inflation figures. The upcoming data

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:57 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Contrasts of the day: Nikkei up, euro down, world holds breath ahead of US-China talks

J.M. Smucker falls after pessimistic forecast World Bank cuts global growth forecast for 2025 Nikkei up, Wall Street futures and euro fall Dollar little changed, bonds await CPI and auction

Thomas Frank 07:48 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Rates rise: markets Await CPI, Trump clashes with Musk, Qualcomm acquires Alphawave

The May CPI report is set for release on Wednesday. A budget bill takes center stage amid a public disagreement between Trump and Musk. Alphawave surged following news

14:05 2025-06-10 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 10

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices posted notable gains, driven by upbeat expectations ahead of the upcoming US-China trade negotiations. Investors are betting on a potential easing of tariffs

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:52 2025-06-10 UTC+2

Robinhood Drops From S&P 500 — Domino Effect Hits Entire Market

Robinhood Falls After Platform Expelled From S&P 500 Warner Bros. Shares Fall After Company Says Plans to Split Business European Stocks Fall on UBS Drop, U.S.-China Trade Talks Loom McDonald's

Thomas Frank 12:49 2025-06-10 UTC+2

Rates rise as markets await CPI, Trump spar with Musk, Qualcomm acquires Alphawave

May CPI report due Wednesday Budget bill in spotlight amid Trump-Musk rift Alphawave jumps on Qualcomm takeover plans WPP falls after CEO resignation announcement S&P 500 just over 2% above

Thomas Frank 11:49 2025-06-09 UTC+2

Clash of the Titans: Musk vs. Trump as Investors Count Losses

Dow -0.25%, S&P 500 -0.53%, Nasdaq -0.83% Tesla Falls as Trump-Musk Public Feud Grows Initial Jobless Claims Rise for Second Week in a Row Adidas, Puma Shares Fall After Lululemon

Thomas Frank 11:45 2025-06-06 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.