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

From Nvidia to Xiaomi: What's Driving Stock Market Growth and Decline Today

Indices Rising: Dow 1.78%, S&P 500 2.05%, Nasdaq 2.47% Consumer Confidence Recovers in May Temu Parent PDD Holdings Falls on Quarterly Revenue Slip Chinese Xiaomi Shares Set to Rise 2.3%

Thomas Frank 12:06 2025-05-28 UTC+2

Whoever doesn't risk a recession doesn't reduce the national debt? Trader's calendar on May 29–31

To be at the center of global attention and to "shape the planet's destiny" — that's what Donald Trump enjoys most. For him, it's essential to constantly generate headlines

Svetlana Radchenko 11:47 2025-05-28 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 28

The S&P 500 index has broken through the key 5,908 level, signaling the end of its recent correction and opening the door to further upside. A break above the resistance

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:25 2025-05-28 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 27

US President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on imports from the EU, yet financial markets responded with restraint. Investors are increasingly adopting a "threat and retreat" strategy, buying stocks

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:54 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Nvidia on the agenda: markets await quarterly report, dollar nears fifth straight monthly decline

Stock markets showed mixed dynamics on Tuesday after Donald Trump unexpectedly postponed the introduction of the promised 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union. The move only increased uncertainty

Thomas Frank 11:31 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Gold at $4,200? Why the Market Is Once Again Preparing for a Historic Rally

The gold market has recently been highly volatile, with dramatic movements in both directions. After breaking above $3,000 per ounce, the metal entered a phase of heightened volatility—testing resistance

Anna Zotova 00:23 2025-05-27 UTC+2

Bitcoin hesitates whether to pull back to $100,000 or climb to $115,000

The world's first cryptocurrency finds itself in limbo. After a recent rally, it pulled back and then settled. At the moment, Bitcoin is at a crossroads, with market participants closely

Larisa Kolesnikova 15:16 2025-05-26 UTC+2

All eyes on Nvidia as markets brace for fresh turbulence

Nvidia's results, the final earnings report from the Magnificent Seven, are set for release on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and European markets are back to square one. The 30-year

12:58 2025-05-26 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 26

Investors have resumed buying shares of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold following the end of its correction phase and subsequent consolidation. Optimism is fueled by technical signals and stabilization

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:01 2025-05-26 UTC+2

The Nvidia Effect: Can Markets Withstand the Latest Wave of Pressure?

Nvidia results due Wednesday, last of Magnificent 7 earnings Donald Trump and European markets back to square one 30-year Treasury yields top 5% in a week S&P 500 falls more

Thomas Frank 08:44 2025-05-26 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.