通胀“温和”放缓！美国1月CPI同比2.4%低于预期，核心CPI降至四年来最低水平，服务通胀坚挺

Core Insights - The overall inflation data for January in the U.S. is described as "moderate," with the CPI year-on-year falling to 2.4%, below expectations, and the core CPI dropping to 2.5%, marking the lowest level since 2021 [1][2] - The monthly core inflation remains resilient, driven by rising service prices, despite some declines in certain goods and services [3][4] Inflation Data Summary - The January CPI increased by 0.2% month-on-month, lower than the expected 0.3%, and the year-on-year rate slowed from 2.7% in December to 2.4%, also below the anticipated 2.5% [1] - The core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose by 0.3% month-on-month, matching expectations and slightly higher than the previous value of 0.2%, with a year-on-year rate of 2.5%, down from 2.6% in December [2] Market Reactions - Following the data release, U.S. stock futures saw a short-term increase, with the Nasdaq futures up by 0.13%, S&P 500 futures up by 0.12%, and Dow futures up by 0.06%. The dollar index experienced a slight decline of 0.03% [3] - Traders are estimating a 50% probability for a third interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this year [3] Service and Goods Price Dynamics - The rise in core inflation for January was primarily driven by service-related price increases, including airfares, personal care, entertainment, healthcare, and communication [3] - Conversely, prices for certain goods and services, such as used cars and trucks, household items, and auto insurance, decreased in January, offsetting some of the upward pressure from services [4] Federal Reserve Implications - The Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target is mainly based on the PCE price index, and both CPI and PCE remain above this target level. The labor market showed signs of stability, with January employment growth accelerating and the unemployment rate dropping from 4.4% in December to 4.3% [6] - Despite the lower-than-expected inflation readings, the resilience of core inflation and a stable labor market may lead the Federal Reserve to maintain interest rates for the time being, with the current benchmark overnight rate set between 3.50% and 3.75% [6] Seasonal Adjustments - It is noteworthy that core CPI often tends to "exceed expectations" in January, with many economists suggesting that seasonal adjustment factors may not fully capture the disturbances caused by one-time price increases at the beginning of the year [7]