CPI Preview: Headline Figures to Inch Lower, Still Far From the Fed's Target

investing.com:

Today is CPI day, and financial markets are eagerly anticipating the release of both CPI and Core CPI, covering monthly and annual changes.

Given the expectation of no major news from the Fed tomorrow, where unchanged rates are anticipated, it's safe to say that today holds the utmost significance- likely the most crucial day not only of this week but possibly until the year's end.

The importance of today's inflation report is particularly due to the S&P 500 being in a bullish phase, after six consecutive weeks in positive territory (as illustrated below).

Source: The Daily Shot

Therefore, in the absence of quarterly or other relevant events (and especially hopefully no black swans either), this is the make-or-break event for the Christmas Rally.

So let's go and see, based on the economic calendar, what to expect:

Analyzing the data, we anticipate an overall decline in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), particularly in the annual change, which is expected to decrease from 3.2% to 3.1%.

At the same time, the Core CPI, excluding volatile components and closely monitored by the Fed, is expected to maintain its position at the 4% level.

In contrast to Europe, where inflation appears to be under control, the US has not yet reached a similar level. This likely contributes to the recent strengthening of the dollar against the euro.

Lower-than-expected data could spur a positive market response, sparking another bullish week.

Conversely, higher-than-expected data might ground traders in reality, reinforcing the tone for the upcoming Fed meeting scheduled for tomorrow and potentially interrupting the rally that commenced in early November.

As always, the markets will have the final say.

***

You can easily determine whether a