Another Paradoxical Reaction to an Inflation Report

Another Paradoxical Reaction to an Inflation Report

For the 2nd month in a row, the market's reaction to a CPI/PPI report ended up being less about the report itself and more about its implications for the more highly regarded PCE inflation data. While we have to wait 2 weeks for official word on PCE, the CPI/PPI combination goes a long way toward revealing the outcome. In today's case, CPI suggested higher PCE inflation, so bonds ended up selling off, albeit modestly, despite core CPI coming in lower than expected. Thursday's PPI once again has the opportunity to punch above its typical weight for the same reason. 

Market Movement Recap
09:31 AM

Weaker overnight and mixed reaction to CPI (mostly ignored). MBS down 1 tick (0.03) and 10yr up 3.6bps at 4.316

12:46 PM

MBS up 1 tick (.03) and 10yr up 2.8bps at 4.308

03:41 PM

Fairly flat in the afternoon, despite some noise in both directions.  MBS are unchanged and 10yr yields are up 3.6bps at 4.317

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Another Paradoxical Reaction to an Inflation Report

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.5 99.66 +0.04 10YR 4.314% +0.034% 3/12/2025 4:21PM EST
Today's CPI came in lower than expected. That would normally help bonds rally, but they didn't seem too eager to do that. One explanation is that the components of CPI that have a bearing on PCE suggest PCE will be higher than previously expected. While we don't usually see PCE move markets as much as CPI, that's because PCE is much easier to forecast after CPI and PPI come out. As far as the Fed is concerned, PCE has the final say when it comes to measuring progress toward 2...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 6.82% +0.03% 15YR Fixed 6.24% +0.03% 3/12/2025
Mortgage rates have moved up over the past 2 days, ultimately hitting the highest levels since February 24th today.  While that sounds somewhat unpleasant or unfortunate, context paints a softer picture.  Specifically, since February 25th, the average top tier 30yr fixed rate has been in a fairly narrow 0.12% range centered on 6.75%. That makes the past 2 weeks the best 2 weeks we've seen since early October. Today's contribution ended up being surprisingly ...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Wednesday, Mar 12
12:00AM Roll Date - UMBS 30YR
7:00AM Mar/07 MBA 30-yr mortgage rate (%) Mar/07 6.67% 6.73%
7:00AM Mar/07 MBA Mortgage Applications Mar/07 11.2% 20.4%
7:00AM Mar/07 MBA Purchase Index Mar/07 154.6 144.5
7:00AM Mar/07 Mortgage Market Index Mar/07 269.3 242.2
7:00AM Mar/07 MBA Refi Index Mar/07 911.3 784.2
8:30AM Feb y/y Headline CPI (%) Feb 2.8% 2.9% 3%
8:30AM Feb CPI index, nsa Feb 319.082 319.22 317.67
8:30AM Feb m/m Headline CPI (%) Feb 0.2% 0.3% 0.5%
8:30AM Feb y/y CORE CPI (%) Feb 3.1% 3.2% 3.3%
8:30AM Feb m/m CORE CPI (%) Feb 0.2% 0.3% 0.4%
8:30AM Feb Core CPI index, sa Feb 319.775 319.086
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Crude Oil Imports Change Mar/07 0.503M -0.054M
10:30AM Mar/07 Crude Oil Inventory (ml) Mar/07 1.448M 2M 3.614M
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Gasoline Production Change Mar/07 -0.078M 0.464M
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Gasoline Stocks Change Mar/07 -5.737M -2M -1.433M
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Cushing Crude Oil Stocks Change Mar/07 -1.228M 1.124M
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Distillate Stocks Change Mar/07 -1.559M -1.3M -1.318M
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Distillate Fuel Production Change Mar/07 -0.113M -0.587M
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Heating Oil Stocks Change Mar/07 -0.183M -0.067M
10:30AM Mar/07 EIA Refinery Crude Runs Change Mar/07 0.321M -0.346M
11:30AM 17-Week Bill Auction (%) 4.175% 4.180%
1:00PM 10-yr Note Auction (bl) 39
1:00PM 10-Year Note Auction 4.310% 4.632%
2:00PM Feb Federal budget, $ (bl) Feb $-307B $-303.2B $-129B
Thursday, Mar 13
8:30AM Feb PPI YoY Feb 3.3% 3.5%
8:30AM Feb Producer Prices (%) Feb 0.3% 0.4%
8:30AM Feb PPI Ex Food, Energy and Trade MoM Feb 0.3%
8:30AM Feb PPI Ex Food, Energy and Trade YoY Feb 3.4%
8:30AM Feb Core Producer Prices YY (%) Feb 3.6% 3.6%
8:30AM Mar/08 Jobless claims 4-wk avg (k) Mar/08 224.25K
8:30AM Feb Core Producer Prices MM (%) Feb 0.3% 0.3%
8:30AM Feb PPI Feb 147.716
8:30AM Mar/01 Continued Claims (ml) Mar/01 1900K 1897K
8:30AM Mar/08 Jobless Claims (k) Mar/08 225K 221K
10:30AM Mar/07 Nat gas-EIA, change bcf Mar/07 -48Bcf -80Bcf
11:30AM 8-Week Bill Auction 4.220%
11:30AM 4-Week Bill Auction 4.230%
12:00PM Mar/13 15-Year Mortgage Rate Mar/13 5.79%
12:00PM Mar/13 30-Year Mortgage Rate Mar/13 6.63%
1:00PM 30-Yr Bond Auction (bl) 22
1:00PM 30-Year Bond Auction 4.748%
4:30PM Mar/12 Central Bank Balance Sheet Mar/12 $6.76T
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There's a lot for financial markets to digest at the moment. Over the past few weeks, the net effect of that digestion has been good for bonds/rates and bad for stocks. But the prevailing correlation broke down this week and few people in the U.S. truly understand why. That's forgivable, considering there has been a lot to react to in terms of economic data and fiscal updates. Monday's weaker&n... READ MORE