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Stubborn Inflation Defies Fed's Route to Economic Equilibrium

Inflation has been one of those headaches the Federal Reserve must balance since it raises some questions over the balance of economic stability against controlled increases in prices. After several cuts this year, the latest inflation data insinuate that the fight against the rise in costs is far from over. With Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell sounding cautious, markets and economists are left to speculate on the future of monetary policy.


Stubborn Inflation Defies Fed's Route to Economic Equilibrium

Key Takeaways

  • Inflation won't budge, and thus every decision by the Federal Reserve is hard. 

  • Neutrality rate is the key yet elusive guide to stability; ambiguous economic indicators, strong retail sales, and low jobless claims have resulted in difficult inflation control.

  • Disaggregated approach called for the housing costs, one of the major determinants of Inflation.



Stubborn Inflation and Its Causes


The stubborn inflation-characterized by prices that have refused to retreat-appears to be always dogging the policymakers. Surging housing costs, resilient consumer spending, and robust labor market data contribute towards this menace.


Recent reports place core inflation-excluding the volatile food and energy sectors-remaining steady at 3.3% year-over-year for October. The growing cost of housing, in particular rents and shelter prices, continue to give an outsized contribution to the headline of the general inflation index. As home affordability declines, pressure on rental markets deteriorates, creating a self-sustaining curve of high prices.


The Fed's Current Approach to Inflation

The Powell Federal Reserve has already cut rates by 75 basis points this year. However, the latest inflation numbers have made the Fed rethink its moving away from the dovish stance. The Fed chief said in a speech at the Dallas Regional Chamber that the economy isn't sending signals of urgency for further cuts, despite expectations of another rate cut in December.


The pivot reflects the Fed's delicate balancing act of containing inflation and sustaining economic growth. The balancing act is one of cutting rates to nurture the labor market without feeding the price rises-an act so tricky that investors and policy thinkers are more circumspect.


The Role of the Neutral Rate in Monetary Policy

But a critical determinant of this decision-making process is the "neutral rate"-that rate which neither accelerates nor brakes the economy. Still, this rate is theoretical and can't be estimated precisely. Even Powell said that "The neutral rate is not directly observable. We know it by its effect on the economy.".


The calculation of neutral is complicated by the fact that productivity has grown higher, allowing for strong economic growth without a spiking inflation. If the rate of neutral turns out actually to be higher than estimated, it means the Fed won't need to aggressively cut rates. If neutral rate estimates are too low, then the chances of errors in policy overstimulating the economy will be realized.



Mixed Economic Indicators Send Confusing Signals to Fed


Conflicting economic data make the Fed's game all the more difficult. Retail sales rose 0.4% in October, well above forecasts and pointing to still-healthy consumer spending. Claims for unemployment benefits, on the other hand, fell to their lowest level since May, reflecting continued labor market strength.


These indicators still point to a robust economy, which provides the background that makes the control of inflation more difficult. Strong consumer demand and low unemployment put upward pressure on prices, making the Fed consider additional cuts in rates against the risk of heating up inflation.


Housing Costs: A Key Driver of Persistent Inflation

Housing costs have been the most powerful in the narrative of inflation. The shelter index rose 0.4% in October and was another key contributor to the core inflation gauge. With home prices still rising and mortgage rates high, Americans are shifting into rentals and driving demand-and rents-higher.


Analysts do not see these trends shifting, and housing is set to remain a key focal point for inflation control. Some of these strong obstacles in the way of Fed's battle to contain inflation cannot be outdone without first fixing the pertinent causes in the housing market.


Market Response to the Fed's Stance

The markets have been pretty sensitive to the changing signals by the Fed. For instance, Treasury yields, an important barometer of market expectations, have jumped sharply. The 10-year yield, for example, has risen 82 basis points since September as investors turned skeptical of the Fed's foresightedness in handling the price pressures.


Equities have been more volatile. Comments from Powell in the past have seen major indexes pull back, reflecting investor concern that the so-called "Powell Put"-the notion by the market that the Fed would step in to prop up asset prices-may be taken away. What's Next: Forecasts by Experts and Fed Tactics



Going forward, analysts remain divided on the Fed course of action. Some believe further rate cuts would be needed in order to keep the economic growth ticking, while others feel such premature easing will only build up the inflationary pressures. The cautious tone of the Fed would imply that policymaker might opt for a wait-and-see approach by keeping a close eye on forthcoming data before giving any big tweak.


Besides this, even the intentional injection of more money into the economy, termed quantitative easing, has been thrown into the ring of possibility. This, critics say, re-emerging quantitative easing will weaken the inflation battle and distort the market dynamics further.


Conclusion: Inflationary Tightrope-Walk for FOMC

The Federal Reserve tightropes between an unruly inflation rate and a belief that the economy does, in fact, need stability. But with rising housing costs, strongly spending consumers, and mixed signs on the economy, it's pretty brutal to make decisions in for policymaking. While Powell's cautious approach brought clarity, it was fraught with controversy, no doubt.


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