The consumer price index came in hotter than expected in April, but the CPI inflation rate finally began to pull back from the highest level in 40 years. Stocks were initially volatile following the inflation report, but the Dow Jones and other major indexes soon turned decisively lower in Wednesday's stock market action.
The CPI rose 0.3% from the prior month and 8.3% from a year ago, easing from March's 8.5% inflation rate, the Labor Department said. The core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy categories, rose 0.6% from March. The annual core inflation rate fell to 6.2% from the prior month's 6.5% reading, which was the highest since August 1982.
Economists expected the overall CPI to rise 0.2% on the month as the annual CPI inflation rate slipped to 8.1%. The core CPI was seen rising 0.4% vs. February and 6% from a year ago.
Bigger-than-expected price increases in April partly reflected strength in housing costs and medical services. Services inflation reached 5.4%, the highest since May 1991.
The lower inflation rate in April reflects big price increases that occurred in April 2021 falling out of the 12-month price change. Price pressures also may be easing as demand slows, at least in some categories.
In a separate release on Wednesday, the Adobe Digital Price Index fell 0.5% on the month, as the annual online inflation rate eased to 2.9% from 3.6%. Adobe noted 10 of 18 categories saw monthly price decreases.
The 0.6% monthly rise in the core consumer price index, if sustained, would add up to a 7.2% annual core inflation rate. That compares to Federal Reserve projections of 4.1% core inflation in 2022. If inflation stays on pace to exceed projected Fed levels, policymakers probably will have to tighter further and faster than expected.
Keep in mind that the CPI differs from the Fed's preferred personal consumption expenditures price index. The latter includes government purchases on behalf of consumers such as by Medicare and Medicaid. It also factors in a substitution effect, when high prices lead consumers to adapt purchasing behavior.
Dow Jones, Treasury Yields Reaction To CPI Inflation Rate
The Dow Jones Industrial Average made big moves before and after the open, including a solid gain at one point. But the major indexes sold off hard, all hitting fresh 52-week lows. Shortly before the close, the Dow Jones fell 1%, the S&P 500 1.6% and the Nasdaq 3.2%.
Russia's Ukraine invasion threw gas on the inflationary problem in the U.S. and around the globe, sparking a selloff. But lately markets have been selling off amid worries that the Federal Reserve will overtighten, sending the economy into recession and the Dow into bear market territory.
As of Tuesday's close, the Dow was off 12.6% from its record closing high on Jan. 4. The S&P 500 had fallen 16.6% from its peak, while the Nasdaq composite had tumbled 26.9%.
It remains to be seen whether inflation beginning to come down from its peak can create a sustainable rally. Be sure to read IBD's The Big Picture column after each trading day to get the latest on the stock market trend and what it means for your trading decisions.
After the CPI report, the 10-year Treasury yield initially moved above 3%, but then fell 7 basis points to 2.92%, perhaps on economic growth concerns. The two-year Treasury yield, more closely tied to Fed rate hike decisions, edged up 2 basis points to 2.64%.
CPI Inflation Report Details
Prices for used cars and trucks fell 0.4% on the month, and rose 22.7% from a year ago. However, that compares to March's 35.3% annual gain.
Demand for used cars has gotten a boost amid the global chip shortage that has snagged production for new autos. Prices for new vehicles jumped 1.1% on the month, while rising 13.2% from a year ago. That's the biggest yearly increase since 1949.
Energy prices fell 2.7% on the month and increased 30.3% from a year ago. Gasoline prices have set new highs in recent days.
Prices for food away from home rose 0.6% in April vs. March, while rising 7.2% from a year ago. Prices for food consumed at home climbed 1% last month and 10.8% from a year ago.
Prices for medical services rose 0.5% on the month, bringing the year-over-year increase to 3.5%, largest since October 2020.
Meanwhile, shelter prices rose 0.5% in April, as owners' equivalent rent rose 0.6%. Shelter costs are up 5.1% from a year ago, while owners' equivalent rent is up 4.8%. Both are the highest since 1991.
